Swimming & Diving Looks to Fuse Youth with Experience in 2009-10 Campaign
Fresh off of a solid Southern California Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championship meet last season, the
University of Redlands swimming & diving teams hope to build on
their success by utilizing underclassmen and upperclassmen
alike.
Head Coach Leslie Whittemore, who enters her 14th season at the
helm of the Bulldog swimming & diving program, holds optimism
for the upcoming campaign.
“We finished with fast times and overall great performances
last year,” Whittemore said. “We know we have great
talent returning; now, we just have to see how our freshman class
can complement them.”
Women
Last year, the Bulldog women tied Pomona-Pitzer Colleges for second
in the conference standings. The 2009-10 contingent of swimmers and
divers, however, appear ready for the challenge of narrowing the
gap between the conference’s juggernaut,
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges, and the rest of the SCIAC.
While Redlands returns key contributors from last year’s
squad, its newcomers have the potential to elevate the program.
“The women’s freshman class will have the biggest
impact immediately,” Whittemore said. “As a collective
whole, they are impressive.”
Sprint Freestyle
A number of new faces filled the ranks of the sprinting corps last
season, and with a year of experience under their belts, expect
them to accumulate valuable points at the SCIAC Championships.
Redlands boasts a quartet of young sprinters that hopes to
translate solid conference-meet performances into another year of
success. Sophomore Casey Sripramong (Glendale, CA) relies on speed
and consistency to make her a prime choice for the 200 and 400
freestyle relays. Sophomore Jaime Nippert (Gresham, OR) and
sophomore K.C. Hughes (Gig Harbor, WA) both possess athleticism and
give the Bulldogs considerable depth in the 50 and 100 freestyle
events.
With NCAA championship experience from her sophomore year, look for
senior Kelly Goeres (Tigard, OR) to add firepower to an
already-potent sprint group.
Among the freshman sprinters, Allie Bollella (Palo Alto, CA) enters
with the fastest times in both the 50 freestyle and the 100
freestyle. The Bulldogs will lean on Bollella’s talent in the
200 and 400 freestyle relays to make a run at the events’
respective NCAA qualifying standards. Freshmen Shirin Sedaghat
(Boulder, CO) and Dionna Anast (Aloha, OR) also have the sprinting
pedigree necessary to factor in at the conference meet.
Distance Freestyle
As a sophomore transfer, junior Michelle Camburn (Sunnyvale, CA)
made a grand appearance on the distance scene, clocking a program
record in the 1650. Expect Camburn to maintain her performances
from last year as she sets the pace of the Maroon and Gray’s
distance corps.
Two additional distance swimmers aspire to improve upon their
strong outings from the 2008-09 season. After a one-year hiatus
from the sport, junior Kayla Desai (Lakewood, CO) shocked the SCIAC
last season, proving to be one of the top-eight mile swimmers in
the conference. Senior Danielle Caver (Highland, CA) has the work
ethic and experience to keep her spot among the team’s top
distance swimmers.
Others to watch out for in the 500 and 1650 freestyle events
include sophomore Jenny Bates (Littleton, CO), senior Katie Heer
(Scottsdale, AZ), sophomore Joy Corona (Lake Bluff, IL), freshman
Lauren Campbell (Dana Point, CA) and freshman Caitlin Michaels
(Hanover, NH).
Butterfly
Sophomore Jamie Paul (Boring, OR) and senior Melanie Loo (Waipahu,
HI) fortify the butterfly group. Paul has steadily improved and
remains a threat in both the 100 and 200. Using her
technically-sound stroke, count on Loo to contend for a spot in the
conference meet’s championship final.
Zehner has emerged as the program’s future star in the 100
and 200 butterfly, possessing the ability to qualify for the NCAA
Championships. Other freshmen who aspire to make an early impact
include Lauren Craig (Newcastle, CA) and Missy Utama (Walnut,
CA).
Backstroke
With the departure of Hillary Nicholson ’09 and Ali Davis
‘09, the Bulldogs start their search for the next wave of
backstrokers.
As the lone returning swimmer in the discipline, expect Heer to use
her expertise to help lead the newcomers.
Despite her youth, freshman Jessie Chansler (Kirkland, WA) offers
an impeccable résumé and hopes to contribute
immediately in both backstroke events. Complementing
Chansler’s talents is freshman Jessica Medvec (Tualatin, OR),
whose sprinting ability boosts the potency of the Bulldogs’
line-up. Additionally, the team relies on the constant development
of Michaels and freshman Kara Parker (Houston, TX).
Breaststroke
Redlands brings back a strong contingent of breaststrokers that
aspires to qualify for the evening session at the conference meet
and raise the ante against perennial contender
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
Heading the charge is sophomore McKenzie Nakamura (Kenmore, WA),
who added three individual All-SCIAC honors and three NCAA
“B” qualifying marks to her credit at the 2009
conference meet. Count on Nakamura’s propensity to excel in
big-meet situations to motivate the team.
Juniors Jo Navarro (Chandler, AZ) and Kelley Cooper (San Antonio,
TX), both of whom will miss the fall due to studying abroad, have
the drive and talent to accumulate quality points toward
Redlands’ cause. Bates, junior Tory Haynes (Valley Center,
CA), Craig, Utama, junior Tiana Singley (Benicia, CA) and Sedaghat
also add depth to the group and possess the requisite athleticism
to score points at SCIACs.
Individual Medley
Nakamura, the defending conference champion in the 200-yard
distance last year, stands as the swimmer to beat in the 2009-10
season. With well-rounded stroke talents, Cooper, Haynes and
Navarro also have the ability to crack the top 16 against the
conference opponents.
Using her formidable endurance in conjunction with her strong
butterfly and freestyle strokes, Camburn looks to match her 400
individual medley performance from last year’s SCIAC
championship meet.
Diving
Senior Chelsea Hamilton (Parker, CO) returns to the boards after a
solid fall segment during the 2008-09 season. Expect Hamilton to
contribute valuable efforts to the team in both the 1-meter and
3-meter throughout the year.
Sophomore Shelby Mann (Bainbridge Island, WA) joins the Bulldogs
after transferring from Northeastern University. Mann’s
talent and awareness allow her to contribute right away.
Men
With three Honorable Mention All-Americans returning in sophomore
Tyler Harp (San Bernardino, CA), junior Miran Terzic (Mostar, Bosna
i Hercegovina) and senior John Floersch (San Jose, CA), the Bulldog
men appear poised to make a repeat NCAA championship
appearance.
Whittemore believes that the senior class, which is comprised of 11
swimmers and divers, will be a large reason for the team’s
success in conference competition.
“The men will rely heavily on the senior class’
experience, enthusiasm, speed and size,” Whittemore said.
“I expect them to be great role models for the younger
swimmers.”
Sprint Freestyle
Not much has changed in a year insofar as the sprint freestyle
personnel on the men’s side. Terzic and Harp, who hold
program records in the 50 and 100 freestyles, respectively,
headline the group of returning male sprinters. Terzic muscled
through the 50 freestyle in an NCAA “A” qualifying mark
of 20.31 last season and hopes to clear the automatic-qualifying
standard once again as he sets out to defend his conference title.
Count on Harp to match his sub-45-second 100 freestyle this year as
he takes dead aim at qualifying for the evening session at the NCAA
championships.
J. Floersch and sophomore Steven Zarian (Superior, CO) both pack
the requisite firepower to make noise in the shorter-distance
freestyle events as well. J. Floersch competed on the 400 freestyle
relay that qualified for the consolation finals last year at NCAAs
and brings experience to the sprinting corps. Zarian’s
hard-nosed work ethic enables him to keep up with his peers in
training, and with tenacity and strength, he expects to score
points in all three of his events at the conference meet.
After taking a year off from swimming, senior Ryan Floersch (San
Jose, CA) returns for his final season donning the Maroon and Gray.
With athletic acuity and two years of college swimming experience,
look for R. Floersch to help push one of the conference’s
premier sprinting corps.
Distance Freestyle
After training with his club swim team over the summer, junior Alec
Alders (Los Angeles, CA) is prepared to improve upon his
career-best times. Already a five-time SCIAC champion, he has the
ability to win every distance freestyle race this year during the
conference season and continues to set the bar for the Redlands
distance group.
Seniors Sheldon Gruendl (Danville, CA) and Ned Voytovich (Salt Lake
City, UT) push Alders in training and have the drive and desire to
make an impact on the conference scene.
In addition, the team also relies on sophomore Greg Heinicke (East
Wenatchee, WA) and freshman Will Baker (Sammamish, WA) to produce
quality finishes in both the 500 freestyle and the 1650
freestyle.
Butterfly
Harp and Terzic, both of whom swam the 100 butterfly on occasion
during the dual-meet season, powered through the event at the SCIAC
Championships last year, placing first and second, respectively.
This tandem eyes a repeat performance this year and also expects to
clear the NCAA qualifying mark.
Junior Sonny Morin (Seattle, WA) brings a solid distance base and a
strong butterfly stroke, enabling him to compete in both the 100
butterfly as well as the 200 butterfly. Also, look for sophomore
Mike Camp (Palos Verdes Estates, CA) to factor in among the
Bulldogs’ go-to butterfliers.
Last year, Redlands placed six swimmers in the consolation finals
of the 200 butterfly. The team hopes to send a similarly-sized
grouping back to the evening session this season as it returns
point-scorers in sophomore Will Houser (Woodinville, WA), senior
Taylor Swyers (St. Louis, MO), senior Chad Kyffin (San Jose, CA)
and senior Justin Wolf (Fullerton, CA).
Among the freshman butterfliers, Chris Depew (Naperville, IL)
brings big-meet experience to the table. Look for him to complement
Harp and Terzic among the top finishers at SCIACs.
Backstroke
Kyffin and Voytovich aspire to usher in the next group of
backstrokers, providing three years of collegiate swimming
experience. Both fared well at the conference meet last season and
are tabbed as two of the squad’s top dual backstroke threats
once again.
A remarkably talented sprinter, sophomore Ben Ballard (Riverside,
CA) serves as a potential option to take on the backstroke duties
on the 200 medley relay. After an impressive season of improvement,
bank on him to make a push for a championship-final appearance in
the 100 backstroke at the SCIAC championship meet.
In addition to his distance-freestyle duties, expect Heinicke to
offer points to the Bulldogs’ cause in both backstroke
events.
Breaststroke
After taking a year off from the sport, senior Scott Tsukamoto
(Dana Point, CA) rejoins the team, immediately providing top-end
depth in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. Sophomore Mike Grant
(Weston, MA) has a knack for turning in fast times when it counts
the most and aspires to continue the trend this year.
Freshman Ryan Hoy (Sacramento, CA) brings a long stroke that is
well-suited for the 200 breaststroke but aspires to make
championship-final runs in 100-yard distance as well as the
200-yard discipline. Finally, freshman Patrick Roth (Salt Lake
City, UT) strives to work his way into the evening session at
SCIACs in both breaststroke events.
Individual Medley
Houser’s versatility enables him to clock formidable times in
the 200 individual medley as well as the 400 individual medley.
Additionally, Voytovich’s distance training pays off in the
400-yard distance, and he hopes to conclude his college swimming
career with a top-three finish at the conference championships.
Swyers, sophomore Jeff Parsons (Newark, CA) and Wolf all turned in
times that ranked among the top 16 at the SCIAC Championships last
year in the 400 individual medley and look to repeat the feat.
Depew, who proved to be one of the fastest IMers among high school
swimmers in the state of Illinois last year, expects to contribute
immediately with his elite ability in each stroke.
Diving
Four divers return from the 2008-09 team. Junior Tim Sanders
(Pasadena, CA) and senior Matt Adams (Vista, CA), in addition to
Ballard and Parsons, rely on their grace and skill to score points
on the boards.
Whittemore said that fans of Bulldog swimming & diving can
expect elite performances from both teams at the SCIAC
Championships.
“There will be a lot of fast swimming,” Whittemore
said. “Many of our newcomers are very versatile and speedy in
a lot of events.”
1200 E. Colton Ave., P.O. Box 3080 Redlands, CA 92373-0999