Oct. 7, 2006

By Matias Saari, Sports Writer, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Published October 7, 2006
Posted in Sports, College

If today's Alaska Nanooks intrasquad swim meet unfolds as intended, the winner of Blue versus Gold won't be determined until the final race at the Patty Center pool.

"We balanced the entries so that hopefully the outcome of the meet will come down the last (400 freestyle) relay," said Alaska coach Scott Lemley on Friday. "If we're good or lucky it will come down to the anchor leg of the last relay."

The re-incorporated Nanooks swim team splashes into their second season today with a high school-style dual meet, free of charge, from noon until about 1:30 p.m.

"We don't want to charge a gate," said Lemley, a longtime former high school coach in the area. "We want to make sure as many people come as possible."

The meet also is the first chance for the public to see a much improved team, which includes freshmen recruits Jacqueline van Driessche (Seward), Jamie Bratten (Lathrop), Kelly Becker (Tualatin, Ore.) and Kathryn Niemi (Mukilteo, Wash.), in action.

They'll join standout returnees sophomore Samantha Zinsli (Kennewick, Wash.) and senior Karin Wagner (North Pole). Lemley believes the six all have a chance to qualify for this season's NCAA Division II national championships. A seventh swimmer expected to contribute immediately, former Lathrop High School star Felina Rosadiuk, withdrew from the team for personal reasons on Thursday, said Lemley.

"I think we're really a level above last year," said Lemley, referring to a season where the Nanooks had just 1.6 scholarships to award and needed to hold tryouts to help form a roster.

The improved depth will certainly assist Zinsli, who was unmatched as a freshman last season.

"She was really the class of the team. She set virtually every team record," Lemley said of Zinsli. "(But) she swam against the clock last year. Nobody could stay with her (on Alaska's team)."

Lemley said he wouldn't be surprised if some NCAA qualifying times were achieved today, though if that happens the results won't count because the meet is unofficial.

"(Today) doesn't count for much more than pride, and it's an indicator of where we're at," Lemley said.

Alaska also sports a new assistant coach in Heather King, who replaces Nicole Paskvan. King, also the current Lathrop High School swim coach, swam collegiately at California State University at Fresno.

"She's going to be a huge asset, both as a coach and as a recruiter," said Lemley, adding that King's status as the Alaska high school 100 breaststroke record-holder "gives her instant credibility and respect."

Alaska starts its competitive season against Seattle University at the Patty Center on Oct. 13-14. In February, Seattle placed ninth while the Nanooks were 11th at the 14-team Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference Championships in Long Beach, Calif.