NEW PALTZ, NY — The New Paltz swim team goes into its 2007-2008 season with a strong line-up, which will be difficult after losing five key SUNYAC scorers to graduation last spring. With a few new competitors in the dual meet season including Alleghany and NYU the team hopes to better its record from last year 6-2 and possibly go undefeated.
A year ago the Hawks placed 16th in the nation after sending four women to the NCAA Division III Nationals in Houston, Texas in March. Michelle Coombs (Newburgh) got her bid in the 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle in which she placed third, second, and first, respectively. Winning the 100 freestyle in 50.84 seconds gave her the title of National Champion and garnered All-American in all three events.
The other three women joined Coombs in Texas on relays. Laura Lipp (St. James/Smithtown), Erica Ellis (Barneveld/Holland Patent) and Ashley Williamson (Holland Patent) along with Coombs qualified at their SUNYAC Championship meet for the 200 medley relay in a time trial. They placed 14th at nationals. They also placed in the 400 medley relay (17th), 200 free relay (18th) and 400 free relay (19th). The 400 and 200 medleys and 200 freestyle relays earned All-American Honorable Mention status.
The Hawks placed fourth at the SUNYAC Championships where Coombs was named the Outstanding Female Swimmer of the meet. Coombs won the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, setting new SUNYAC meet, conference and varsity records in all of her individual events and was named to the All-Conference first team for her performance. Second team All-SUNYAC performer junior Joelle Hopf (Vestal) returns after a third place finish in the 100 breast stroke. The 200 medley relay team of Coombs, Lipp, Liz Ruggerio (Congers/ Immaculate Heart), and Williamson finished first in a time of 1:49.01.
Other veterans scoring at SUNYACs include Chrissy Corrigan (Buffalo/ City Honors), Regina Davide (Ossining), Eryka Eikeseth (Staten Island/Tottenville), Samantha Graham (West Islip), and Melinda Pullen (New City/Clarkstown South).
Completing the returning lineup are Nicole Moss (Williamsville/Williamsville South), Megan Gordon (Smithtown) and Callie Bennan (Stony Brook/Ward Melville).
Ten promising freshman have been added to the mix this year. Becky Baker (Wappingers Falls/Roy C. Ketcham) and Amanda Cunningham (Wantagh) will be swimming breaststroke while Brittany Berrus (Lowville), Lori Brown (Hauppauge), Kate Genovese (Wantagh), Marissa Morris (Toms River), Christine Rieth (North Penfield/Webster) and Allison Wells (Shelton, CT) are expected to help out in the sprint and distance freestyle events. In the backstroke the Hawks will look to Berrus, Morris, Jessica Lester (Long Beach), and Tiffany Sorrell (Plattsburg/Beekmantown). Fly will be covered by Cummingham, Genovese and Wells and the IM will be taken on by Cunningham, and Sorrell.
Coach Brian Williams has set the bar high for the team in his final season coaching the women’s program. He hopes to better the teams placing in the SUNYAC conference and also in the nation. Out of the pool the women’s team was ranked fifth in the nation with a 3.51 overall GPA last spring. The team hopes to maintain competitive in the national academic field again this year.
New Paltz opens their season on Saturday, October 20 when they host Hartwick at 1:00 p.m.
