NEW PALTZ, NY — The men’s swim team returns for the 2007-08 season under fourth year head coach Dan Talleyrand looking improve their fourth place SUNYAC standing. Last season, the Hawks posted a dual meet record of 4-4.
Second team All-SUNYAC choices, senior Johnny Fleckenstein (Port Jefferson) and sophomore Stephen Cozzolongo (Burlington, CT/Lewis S. Mills), return to lead the team. Fleckenstein finished third in the 400 IM and Cozzolongo took third in the 100 back.
Junior Stefan Crain (Plattsburgh) and sophomores Zack Lowenstein (Brick, NJ/Brick Twp) and Brian Bennett (Merrick/Calhoun) will be integral to the success of the team. Lowenstein finished fourth in the 200 back and 200 IM and Crain placed fifth in the 500 yard freestyle. The 800 free relay of Bennett, Crain, Fleckenstein and Lowenstein took fourth.
Other veterans returning to the pool include Mark Chipman (Oswego), Mike Demerest (Long Beach), Jimmy Ireland (Bergen/Notre Dame), Chris Kinney (Farmingdale), Adam Leiner (Chester/Monroe-Woodbury) and Mike O’Keefe (Deer Park).
Nick Johnson (Highland Mills/Monroe-Woodbury) returns to the team after a year off due to illness. Johnson was the third highest scorer at SUNYACs in 2005 and 2006.
The team boasts nine newcomers. Talleyrand is high on first year David Gardner (Chittenango) who was a first team all-county selection in high school and a Section II champion in the 50 free. Rob Webb (Hillsbourgh, NJ) earned second team all-county honors and his high school team claimed the sectional and state championship titles. Matt Demerest (Long Beach), Billy Papetti (Long Beach) and Pat Rathbun (Long Valley, NJ) were each all-county in high school and should be ready to score points at the SUNYAC championships. Matt Gassert (Bellmore), Chris Koehle (Long Beach), Charlie Ostrander (Prospect, CT) and Andrew Outcault (Commack) complete the roster and will be battling for a spot on the SUNYAC roster.
New Paltz opens their season on Saturday, October 20 when they host Hartwick at 1:00 p.m.
