Feb. 15, 2007

Staten Island, NY -- The Wagner College women's swim team departed earlier yesterday to Landover, Maryland in preparation for the NEC Championships. The Championships kick off tomorrow and continue through Saturday as the Seahawks hope to top last season's third place finish. Head coach Sean Raffile and assistant coach Christine Hyjek have a well prepared group of swimmers that will compete in a variety of events hoping to tally points for the Green & White.

Everyone on the roster will compete in at least two events, with some taking part in five events. It's a veteran squad to say the least and all seven seniors will compete in the conference's final event. Co-captain Brigitta Roser (Ithaca, NY/Lansing) will do battle in her specialty events, the 100 and 200 free. It was the 200 free in which Roser set a school record earlier this year with at time of 1:52.94, in addition she will swim the 500 free.

Wagner will also be looking for points out of the rest of their seniors especially in specific events that play to the student athlete's strengths. Co-captain Bridget Amitrano (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream) and classmate Molly McDonald (Hickory, NC/Seton Home School) are part of a solid group in the 50 free and they will also do work in the 100 and 200 free. Kate Wilson (Brentwood, CA/Liberty) will take part in the 400 IM along with the 500 free and 200 breaststroke.

Other seniors include Amanda Males (East Stroudsburg, PA/East Stroudsburg) who will have a busy weekend, participating in five events, including the 200 IM, 100 breast, 100 back, 200 back, and 200 breast. Nicole Paduano (North Haven, CT/North Haven) will focus on the 200 breast while taking part in the 100 breast and 100 fly.

Junior Jess Radka (Reading, PA/Holy Name), the defending champion in the 100 fly for the last two seasons enters the championship event in both the 100 and 200 fly, along with the 200 IM. Radka who qualified for the US Open earlier this year in the 200 fly events will look to be back in the winner's circle this time around.

Other juniors taking part are Halley Allen (Bryan, TX/Bryan) one of the team's top sprinters who will compete in the 50 and 100 free along with the 100 back. Meanwhile Dana Helyer (Milford, CT/Amity) takes part in the 100 and 200 back with Heather Roman-Green (Woodstock, NY/) tabbed for the 100 fly and back as well as the 200 back.

Sophomore Alexandra Tomlinson (Telford, PA/Souderton) is another one of the featured performers for the Green & White taking part in the 200 fly along with the 200, 500, and 1650 freestyle. Classmate Colleen Bowman (Hauppauge, NY/Hauppauge) is scheduled for the 200, 500, and 1650 free, while Michelle Varga (Astoria, NY/Archbishop Molloy) is lined up for the 50, 100, and 200 free. Rounding out the sophomore class is Nicole Maichrowicz (Temple City, CA/Temple City) who after helping the Wagner water polo team off to a 4-2 start, rejoins the swim squad to take part in the 50 and 100 free along with the 100 breast.

The freshman class is not to be overlooked for contributions as US Open qualifier Jessica Hart (Summerfield, NC/Northwest) takes part in the 50 and 100 free along with the 100 fly. Melanie Rodriguez-Lapman (Chesire, CT/Chesire) is on board for a potpourri of events including the 500 free, 400 IM, and 1650 free.

The meet kicks off today with preliminary heats, for complete results after each day of competition visit the website of the Northeast Conference at www.northeastconference.org or www.wagnerathletics.com