October 16, 2009
Bryant Swimming Opens This Weekend
SMITHFIELD, RI - The Bryant University men's and women's swim teams open their 2009-10 seasons respectively this weekend with the men traveling to NJIT at 1:30 pm and the women opening at Northeast Conference rival Wagner College on Staten Island, NY starting at 1:00 pm.
This is the second year of Division I competition for both squads and the second year for the women competing as a member of the Northeast Conference. Last year, the Bulldogs, under the direction of fifth-year coach Katie Cameron, finished fifth at the NEC Championships in New Haven, Conn. With Jessica Looney (Goffstown, N.H.) leading the way. Looney, who returns for her senior season, took fourth in the 200 yard backstroke at last year's championship.
The women field a veteran team with plenty of experience plus several newcomers looking to help the Bulldogs score points later on at the championships.
Joining Looney are returners Amy D'Olympia (So., Mattapoisett, Mass.), Margaret Dickinson (Sr., West Newbury, Mass.), Emily Hayes (Sr., Marshfield, Mass.), Kelly Hills (Sr., Tarrytown, NY), Jill Squillante (Jr., Sayville, NY), Allison Schaab (Sr., Boothwyn, Pa.), Abby Whittaker (So., Salisbury, Mass.) and Lisa Zanchi (Jr., North Reading, Mass.) among others.
The men will need to replace standout Tom Ferrigno who graduated but watch for juniors Matt Derwin (Cheshire, Conn.) and Steve Nguyen (San Jose, Calif.) to step up. Both enjoyed an excellent season last year, turning in excellent times at the ECAC Championships last March.
Sophomores Brendan Heller (So., Naugatuck, Conn.), James DeLucia (So., Waterbury, Conn.), Daniel Conlin (So., Roslindale, Mass.), Konrad Lech (So., Portland, Maine) and Sean Martell (So., Nashua, N.H.) are also expected to contribute in 2009-10.
Following this weekend's action, the two teams will host the University of Maine next Friday (Oct. 23) in the first of three-straight home meets. The Bulldogs will host Boston College on Sunday, Nov. 1 and Providence College on Friday, November 13 at the Chace Athletic Center Pool
