Utica, NY – The Utica College men's and women's swim and dive teams begin their season on Saturday. UC will travel to Oneonta, NY to compete in the Hartwick College Quad Meet. The Pioneers will face Hartwick, Cazenovia, and the College of Saint Rose. Diving competition starts at 9 a.m., while the swimming starts up at 1 p.m.
New Year New Faces: The women's team will be welcoming two new swimmers to the squad.
Kelcey Madigan (Waverly, NY/Waverly) is joining UC as the only freshman on this year's roster. Sophomore
Emily Czerwonka (Souderton, PA/Souderton Area), a member of last year's water polo team, is now also on the swim team.
The men have also added two new players to their roster for this upcoming season. Freshmen Justin Larrea and Michael Leyburn join the team this year, after UC graduated four seniors last season.
Returning Crew: The women's team has a total of 12 players returning from last season, including a group of seven seniors.
Daniela Hannah (Dalton, GA/Northwest Whitfield) and
Rebecca Merrill (Chelmsford, MA/Chelmsford) both are back for their sophomore season. The returning junior class is represented by
Ashley Flint (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro),
Lara McNamara (Yonkers, NY/Maria Regina), and
Emily Medley (Watertown, NY/Watertown). Back for their final year at UC, the senior class is made up of the following swimmers:
Alyson Baribault (Plantsville, CT/Southington),
Grace Gallentine (Clifton Springs, NY/Midlakes),
Phoebe King (New Bedford, MA/GNB Voc Tech),
Krysta Rehrig (Pennsburg, PA/Upper Perkiomen),
Domenica Risucci (Utica, NY/Whitesboro),
Katie Skipp (Albany, NY/Albany), and
Meagan Stanton (Chemung, NY/Waverly).
The men's swim and dive team is bringing back eight members from last year's roster. Sophomores John Blashke, Derek Hamilton, and Keihin Lee are back for another season. Last season's Empire 8 Diver of the Meet (E8 Swim and Dive Championships), Matt Patton, is also returning after a strong freshman campaign. Dean Schrider and TJ Tellekamp are back as juniors for the 2017-18 season. Finally, the senior class is represented by Daniel Angotti and Aaron Gudrian.
Hartwick Quad Meet: In last year's appearance at the Hartwick College Quad Meet, the men's team lost the matchups against Hartwick (236-51) and Saint Rose (198-67), but defeated Cazenovia (196-27).
The women's team followed suit as they lost to Hartwick (244-44) and Saint Rose (198-64) in last year's meet, while defeating Cazenovia (174-88). This will be the fifth season in a row that the Pioneers will open their season at the Hartwick Quad Meet.
Looking Ahead: The women's team will be back in action on October 28th for its first home meet of the season. UC will play host to William Smith College beginning at 1 p.m.
The men will prepare for their home opener on November 4th, as they welcome Roberts Wesleyan and Wells College. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
