NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz Men’s and Women’s swimming teams look to repeat the success they saw in the 2004-2005 season. Last year each team had a member earn a major award at last year’s State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Championship meet. Senior Joanna Masterson (Canandaigua, NY) was named the Female Swimmer of the Meet, and, now graduated, Kent Yeung (Flushing, NY) became the fifth Hawk to be awarded the James Fulton Award. Yeung was a co-recipient of the award, which is bestowed on the swimmer who combines athletic accomplishment with academic achievement over a four-year period. He also received the SUNY New Paltz Heinz Ahlmeyer Award at last year’s Athletics Award Banquet.
Although each team has a different make-up of talent, they are both looking to impress in their 2005-2006 campaigns. The men’s team is a young squad that Coach Dan Talleyrand feels is ýExciting to watchý. On the 17-man roster Coach Talleyrand will be carrying 14 sophomore and freshman athletes. The men look to improve on their fourth place conference finish of a year ago. They are focused on qualifying swimmers to the Division III ECAC Open Invitational. The Hawks have three out of four ECAC swimmers returning, including sophomores Nick Johnson (Highland Mills, NY), John Fleckenstein (Port Jefferson, NY) and senior Jeff Melton (Acworth, GA).
The women’s team is a more experienced group who is determined to maintain their two-year dual meet unbeaten streak. The Hawks look to their experienced upper classmen to lead the way. Masterson, who competed in last year’s NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championship, will captain this yearýs womenýs team that features 14 returnees, including 13 juniors and sophomores. Coach Brian Williams excited about having such an experienced team to work with this year. Coach Williams believes that with the talent he has returning that the 2005-2006 women’s swim team is primed for another impressive year.
Juniors Liz Delia (Oswego, NY), who won the 400-yard and 200-yard Individual Medleys at last year’s SUNYAC Championship meet, Ashley Williamson (Holland Patent, NY), Katie Rapp (Liverpool, NY) and Nevine Roberts (Pound Ridge, NY) are among the returning swimmers that will help Masterson and Coach Williams seize a spectacular season.
The SUNY New Paltz swimming team will open the 2005-2006 season at home on Saturday, October 22 at 1:00 pm against Hartwick College.
