To say that the Clarkson University Swim team competed well at the 2009 regional meets in Syracuse would be a considerable understatement. Seventeen school records fell in six days of action and several swimmers narrowly missed NCAA qualification, and while a few of those swimmers graduated, many talented underclassmen have returned to take another run at the NCAA Championship meet in 2010.
Led by long-time head coach Mick Maguire and assistant Jake Marchal, the Golden Knights are in position to have another season to remember in 2009-10, starting October 23rd in a dual meet against St. Lawrence University.
Heading the veterans is, strangely enough, a second-year collegian. Sophomore Mike Rowe (Glenville, NY) made an immediate impact on the conference and region as he set three individual school records, finishing in the top 10 in the region in the 100 backstroke (fourth), 200 backstroke (fourth), and 500 freestyle (ninth). A six-time conference rookie of the week, Rowe made the NCAA “B” cut on the final day of the regional meet, but the field was filled out just ahead of his school-record time in the 200 backstroke.
Joining Rowe among the top performers returning from last season are junior Brendan Hofler (Glen Gardner, NJ), junior Robert Stevens (Lakewood, NY), and sophomores Aaron Kreher (Clarence, NY) and Aaron Cubells (Hamden, CT). Hofler had two top-ten finishes at the regional, including a fifth-place showing in the 1650 freestyle and a seven-place finish in the 400 individual medley, while Stevens set a school-record in the backstroke, which would later be taken down by Rowe. Both Kreher and Cubells proved valuable in gaining points in the individual events at the regional.
Joining Kreher in the freestyle events in 2009-10 are seniors Chad Klotzbach (Basom, NY) and Tyler Mokay (Liverpool, NY), two of only three seniors on the men’s team. Juniors Stephen Kelso (Exeter, NH), Kurt Schwarting (Lowville, NY), and Kane Streichert (Norwich, NY) and sophomores Nick Clemens (Lowville, NY), Mitchell Maciuba (Clarence, NY), Sean Moran (Niantic, CT), Jeremy Ozolins (Weedsport, NY), and Aadit Patel (Stratford, CT) also return to the Knights this winter, and all are expected to make an impact on the scoresheet for Clarkson.
In the specialty events, the Knights have plenty of depth as well. Hofler, Kelso, and Streichert all swim various strokes in addition to the freestyle events, as does Cubells, who specializes in the backstroke and individual medley. Senior Dan Mandle (Chelmsford, MA) also should gain points in the breaststroke for the Knights.
Coach Maguire is very excited about the Class of 2013 and the potential they bring to Fuller Pool. Freshmen Kyle Doy (Naugatuck, CT), Hans Carpio (Newburgh, NY), and Paul Telesca (Liverpool, NY) will have every opportunity to gain spots in the freestyle events, while Devin Hallam (Schenectady, NY), Sean Parnett (Clifton Park, NY), and Michael Schubert (Medina, OH) will swim both freestyle events and specialty events for the Knights. Classmate Stephen Maxwell (Latham, NY) will definitely add to an already deep group of swimmers in the backstroke and individual medley.
While the women’s team will certainly miss the standout performances of its three graduated senior record-holders Katherine Gawrys, Kristen Larsen, and Robyn Stone, the squad will still have ample depth across the board. Senior Laura Shaddak (Oswego, NY) had one of her individual marks broken last season, but she is still a formidable competitor for Clarkson’s opponents, capable of setting a new mark every time she springs into the water. Already in the annals of Clarkson’s best swimmers on three relay teams, Shaddak will look to re-establish her name in some of the freestyle events for the Knights.
Classmate Amanda Bragan (Auburn, NY) is the only other senior on the women’s side, and she will head the freestyle legions along with Shaddak. Sophomore Emma Bonan (Queensbury, NY) had a solid freshman campaign, as did classmates Anne Hawn (Gouverneur, NY), Kelsey Jones (Kattskill Bay, NY) and Caitlin Joyce (Walden, NY). Sophomore Lauren Adams (Hogansburg, NY) did not participate for the Knights last season, but looks to make up for lost time in 2009-10. Freshman Colleen Daly (Manlius, NY), Courtney Karszes (Stanley, NY), and Kimberlee Stillittano (Binghamton, NY) will also look to make a quick impact for the Knights.
Many of the women’s upperclassmen participate in specialty events, led by junior Nicole Pera (Jamison, PA). Pera owns the 200 backstroke record at Clarkson, and finished in the top 20 at the regional meet in both the 100 and 200 backstroke last season. Classmates Stephanie Seward (Pembroke, NY) and Elena Kuo-LeBlanc (Scituat, RI) also will compete in backstroke events for the Knights.
Finally, freshman Jillian Brown (Kenmore, NY) should help make up some for the loss of Gawrys and Larsen, as she can compete in both the freestyle and individual medley events for the Knights, making early waves for Clarkson as a first-year collegian.
