Oct. 13, 2007

Staten Island, NY - The Wagner swimming team is set to compete in their first meet of the season at the Central Connecticut State Invitational in New Britain, CT. The Seahawks look to improve on their fourth place finish at the Northeast Conference Championship last year.

This year's senior class is leading the charge to the NEC Championships, led by captain Halley Allen (Bryan, TX/Bryan) backstroke specialists Heather Roman-Green (Woodstock, NY/Kingston) and Dana Helyer (Milford, CT/Amity Reg.) , and former NEC fly champion Jess Radka (Reading PA/Holy Name).

"Each of these ladies has had outstanding seasons in the past," said head coach Sean Raffile, who enters his third season with the Seahawks. "We are looking forward to them leaving their mark this year as well."

The junior class is anchored by two of the team's top competitors, Alexandra Tomlinson (Telford, PA/Sounderton) and Colleen Bowman (Hauppauge, NY/Hauppauge).

"These two train at such a high level in the distance group," commented Raffile on Tomlinson and Bowman. "It is no wonder that they are consistently top performers in the NEC."

Rounding out the junior class is Michelle Varga (Astoria, NY/Arch Bishop Molloy) who looks to repeat her performances at the Boston University Invitaional last year where she posted not one, not two, but three career bests, while Nicole Maichrowicz (Temple City, CA/Temple City) has been pulling double duty practice sessions, as she is on both the swim team and water polo team.

"She has shown the most improvement out of anyone in the team thus far," noted Raffile on Maichrowicz. "I can't wait to see how much this hard work pays off for her."

With a team loaded with upper-class talent, there comes the small, but equally important sophomore class. The versatile sophomore Melanie Rodriguez-Lapman (Cheshire, CT/Cheshire) is hungry for more after placing second in the NEC Championships last year. After being riddle with injury last year, Jessica Hart (Summerfield, NC/Northwest) looks to start the season with a bang.

To add depth to an already spectacular team, Raffile recruited two others from the 2007 water polo MAAC champions, senior Lindsey Rogers (Anaheim Hills, CA/Fullerton JC) and junior Dru Murphy (Keller, TX/Slippery Rock). Though these two have been away from the competitive swimming scene for a few years, Raffile has high hope for them this season.

"These two have far exceeded my expectations," remarked Raffile. "I believe they will be immediate contributors from the get up."

The Seahawks brought in four freshmen to round out this years team. Shanon Silber, Caitlin Moore-Penaskovic, Sarah Plucinsky, and Bethany Brown each have their own style and strengths that Raffile will lean on.

"This group of girls will be an immediate help if they are willing to rise to the challenge and set a high standard of excellence for themselves," said Raffile. "I think they have the desire to get it done and can not wait to start this weekend."