February 26, 2009

BULLDOGS GET READY FOR ECAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - With their first season of Division I competition under their belts, the Bryant University men's and women's swim teams prepare for one final meet, as they will take on some of the top swimmers in the region in the ECAC Championships at Harvard University this weekend.

The men's side had six different swimmers make the cut, with senior Tom Ferrigno (West Chester, Pa.) leading the way, getting ready for seven different events. Ferrigno qualified in the 100 and 200 backstroke, 200 fly, 200 and 400 individual medley, 500 freestyle and 1650 freestyle, posting the top time for Bryant this year in each of those events. Sophomore Steve Nguyen (San Jose, Calif.) qualified in four events including the 200 individual medley, 100 fly, and the 200 and 500 freestyle. Freshman Zach Bowen (Linchefield, N.H.) put on an impressive display at the New England Invitational's a couple weeks ago, making the ECAC cut time in the 100 and 200 fly, and the 200 freestyle. Kevin McDonald (North Haven, Conn.) will also be participating, qualifying in the 100 backstroke while Sean Martell (Nashua, N.H.) will be swimming the 100 and 200 breaststroke.

All of the relay teams will have a chance as well on the men's side, using the previous five swimmers plus senior Ray Savner (Bethlehem, Conn.), who will add his short distance skills to a very talented squad.

On the women's side, junior standout Jess Looney (Goffstown, N.H.) qualified in five individual events in the 500 and 1650 freestyle, the 200 fly and the 200 freestyle. Sophomore Jill Squillante (Sayville, N.Y.) will join Looney, swimming the 100 backstroke after posting the top Bryant time this season. Each of the women's relay teams also qualified except for the 800 freestyle relay, with Abby Whittaker, Amy D'Olympia (Mattapoisett, Mass.), Dayna Konko (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Lisa Zanchi (North Reading, Mass.) participating as members of the relay teams.

The championships will take place Friday through Sunday this weekend at the Harvard University pool, concluding the 2008-09 season for Bryant swimming.