2009-10 W&J PRESIDENTS SWIMMING AND DIVING SEASON PREVIEW

The Washington & Jefferson College men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams enter the 2009-2010 season hungry to bring a Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championship back to campus. 

The W&J women have won five conference titles since 2000, but dropped to third at last year’s league championships despite a number of record-breaking performances.  The Presidents’ men also posted their seventh-straight, third-place showing at the conference meet, but are building towards claiming their first championship since 2000. 

Leading the way for the men’s squad is three-time PAC Champion junior Brandon Smith.  Smith earned NCAA-qualifying times in three events (200 and 400 IM, 200 backstroke) a year ago and owns six school records (four individual, two relays). 

Sophomores Michael Boutwell and Benjamin Daggett will look to build upon strong freshman campaigns.  Boutwell set the school record in the 500 freestyle, while Daggett collected new school bests in the 1,000 and 1,650 freestyle events.  Junior James Falis and sophomores Keyton Kalakewich and Andrew Putt {above} will also look to make an impact with after gaining more experience for the varsity squad.   

Head Coach Mike Orstein, who surpassed 400 career victories last year, will also rely on a seven-member senior class to provide depth and leadership.  Mark Sirkoch has been one of the conference’s most versatile swimmers in each of the past three seasons and is a member of three school-record relays.  Andrew Forish, William Kidston, Dan Martin, Jay Minster and Joshua Wilder are talented swimmers who will be expected to increase their level of production.  Luke Morgan returns as the team’s top diver for Assistant Coach Vic Galati.  Galati is in his ninth season working with the Presidents’ men’s and women’s divers. 

Junior Christian Larson and sophomores Andy Rish and Jonathan Weeks finished the season on strong notes and are expected to provide key points in meets throughout the winter. 

The W&J women will rely on youth this year as 19 of the squad’s 24-member roster are underclassmen.  Sophomores Brittany Vogel and Bethany Haver headline that group after record-breaking freshman seasons. 

Haver won the PAC Championship and set a school record with 415.60 points in the 1-meter diving event.  She qualified for the NCAA Championships and also established a school record in the 3-meter event with 423.51 points.  Sophomores Sarah White and Abbey Woodward strengthen one of the region’s strongest diving lineups. 

Vogel recorded a NCAA-qualifying mark in the 200 IM and earned top-three finishes at the PAC Championships in four different events. 

Sophomore C.J. Corcoran comes off a solid freshman campaign in which she earned a NCAA “B” Cut time in the 100 breaststroke, while Katie Steider and Ellie Tecza are primed to elevate their times after impressive first-year showings. 

Two additional sophomores, Sarah Cull and Hanna Carroll, are primed for breakout years. 

Senior Megan Rielly and juniors Jaclyn Andrews and Chrissy Brant will provide veteran leadership for the young squad.  Juniors Kyra Fedorovich and Andi Wirginis also return after missing time last season due to injuries. 

Both Washington & Jefferson teams open the season on Nov. 4th for a dual meet at Frostburg State. 

-- PRESIDENTS --

2008-2009 Washington & Jefferson College Presidents