Destination: White River Junction

CHICOPEE, MA – For the Elms College men’s and women’s swimming team, there is one overwhelming focus for the upcoming season: The NEISDA Championship.

On February 19, 2010, both squads will be competing at the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA) Championships at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction, VT, and both will strive to be well-represented. The Blazers return six seniors and six juniors to the pool that will provide experience and strength in helping to achieve that goal.

According to head coach Bill Tyler, both the men’s and women’s teams are stronger than they were last year. Both teams will make serious runs at school records en route to the NEISDA Championship in February.

Here is a glance at each squad entering the season:

MEN’S TEAM

SENIORS

The Elms men’s team will be led by its two seniors Jason DiMauro (New Hartford, CT) and Mike Starke (Chicopee, MA). In his fourth season swimming under Coach Tyler, DiMauro has made his presence in the water widely known, and has been named the team captain.

“He’s been a NEISDA finalist, he’s versatile, he can swim all of the freestyle events, he can fill in for almost any event, but what I find most valuable with him is his leadership,” said Coach Tyler. “He leads by example and he is just a hard worker in the pool.”

For Starke, the goal is to make it to the NEISDA Championships one last time.

“We are training him slightly differently to attain that goal,” explained Coach Tyler. “He adds a lot of depth because he is a pretty versatile swimmer as well.”

JUNIORS

The junior class is also comprised of two swimmers, Joe King (Springfield, MA) and Nick Whitman (Florence, MA).

“Nick is a butterfly specialist and currently holds the school record in the 100-yard butterfly event,” Coach Tyler noted.

King is a freestyler and backstroker and he currently owns the school’s 200-yard backstroke record.

“I expect both of these guys to be at the New England meet at the end of the season,” Coach Tyler added.

SOPHOMORES

Six sophomores are at the heart of the roster and will provide quality depth and experience for Coach Tyler this season.

All six second-year swimmers are poised to pick up where they left off a year ago. Garrett Brune (Lakeville, MA) is a breaststroke specialist who currently owns multiple school records that he will look to break in 2009-10, while Zach LeBarron (Bennington, VT) has set his sights on the 50-meter freestyle pool record. LeBarron will also look to return as a finalist in the 100-meter freestyle at the NEISDA Championships.

“I think [Garrett’s] health and focus are better this year, so I think he’ll have an immediate impact,” said Coach Tyler. “Zach looks stronger as well, so I think he will be another swimmer to have a huge impact for us early on.”

Nick Provost (Three Rivers, MA) brings enthusiasm and an invaluable work ethic to the pool that has not gone unnoticed.

“This guy is one of the hardest workers on the team,” Coach Tyler commented. “He just cranks it up. He is a very strong all-around member of the team and I expect that he will challenge his current school records.”

Adding strength and depth to the team are Neil Carney (West Haven, CT), Mike Desmond (Nashua, NH) and Adam Tonnensen (Norwich, CT).

“Neil keeps working hard in the pool and he adds good, solid depth to this squad,” Coach Tyler stated. “His butterfly looks much better this season and that could be his ticket to the NEISDA Championships.”

FRESHMEN

Rounding out the men’s squad are three extremely talented newcomers.

Mark Gehring (West Springfield, MA) is a hard-working swimmer who will compete in the distance freestyle events and will set his sights on competing at the New England’s in February. Joe Strzempko (Westfield, MA) will add depth to the sprinting events, while Keith Godek (Chicopee, MA) will be utilized in the breaststroke and butterfly events.

“All three of these guys will be key contributors to the team,” Coach Tyler stated. “They work hard in the pool, and I am very fortunate to have a core group of guys who put a lot of effort into their daily workouts.”

WOMEN’S TEAM

SENIORS

Four swimmers make up the senior class on the women’s side, led by captain Stephanie Soriano (Cheshire, MA).

“Her leadership is her strength and she can be used in multiple events,” explained Coach Tyler. “She has come a long way during her career at Elms. She won the Bolt Award for most improved athlete during her sophomore year. It’s just great for her to be recognized by that. She’s already swimming faster than she did last year.”

Danielle Gero (Holyoke, MA) will add good depth in the breast-stroke, Amanda Koch (Williston, VT) will help in the distance events, while Amanda Gage (Oxford, MA) will contribute experience to round out a senior class that will look to establish a solid foundation for success this season.

JUNIORS

The junior class is led by Theresa Pitassi (Naugatuck, CT) who is looking to continue making waves after a very successful run at the NEISDA Championships a year ago.

“I’m hoping she’ll pick up where she left off last year,” stated Coach Tyler. “She is a very gifted freestyler and can be plugged into other events if need be. I’ve seen her pick it up in practice more and I think she’ll have a very good year.”

Dariana Diaz (Dorchester, MA), Alison McBride (East Providence, RI) and Emysha Robles (Springfield, MA) will add strength and depth to the Blazers’ junior class.

SOPHOMORES

Second-year swimmer Ashley Arbo (Kensington, CT) returns to the pool after collecting several points for Elms at the 2008-2009 NEISDA Championships.

“She is a very good all-around swimmer,” Coach Tyler explained. “She’s so good in the backstroke, butterfly and freestyle events. She’s definitely one of our top swimmers.”

Another sophomore continuing to make strides is Katie Roberts (Torrington, CT). Roberts finished second in the 50-yard breaststroke at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship a year ago and has caught Coach Tyler’s attention.

“She just wants to get better,” Coach Tyler stated. “She’s always focused and working hard to do the little things to get better.”

Sonia Vaz (Randolph, MA) and Marissa Yeager (Dunbarton, NH) will round out a sophomore class that will aim to score a lot of points for the Blazers in 2009-2010.

FRESHMEN

Newcomer Tessa Dudunake (Northampton, MA) will be an immediate force for Elms this season.

“Dudunake will set school records this season,” Coach Tyler noted. “She is a very good freestyler, breaststroker and will possibly compete in the individual medley. She is a very strong swimmer.”

Chalis Bird (Windsor, MA), Tricia Ruell (Chicopee, MA) and Emalee Furtek (Ludlow, MA) will also highlight a very strong freshman class, while Melissa Bara (Westfield, MA) and Adrienne Formel (Great Barrington, MA) will provide solid depth.

“Chalis, Tricia and Emalee will complement the team nicely by challenging school records quickly,” Coach Tyler added.

SCHEDULE

2009-2010 MEN’S SCHEDULE

The 2009-2010 men’s slate will start on Oct. 31 at the Mount Saint Mary’s (NY) Invitational. A pair of dual meets will follow at St. Joseph’s (ME) on Nov. 14 and at Colby-Sawyer (Nov. 21).

A home meet against Bridgewater State will take place on Dec. 4 at Partyka Natatorium, before the Blazers travel to the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth on Dec. 12 to close out the 2009 portion of their season.

The 2010 schedule opens at home against Mount Saint Mary’s (NY) on Jan. 9 before Elms takes to the road again for three straight meets at Clark (Jan. 15), at Trinity (at Mount Holyoke on Jan. 20) and at Gordon College (with Norwich on Jan. 23). The Blazers will host Regis on Jan. 30 in their final home meet of the season. Elms will then close out the 2009-2010 campaign at the Vassar Invitational (Feb. 13) and at the NEISDA Championships (Feb. 19).

2009-2010 WOMEN’S SCHEDULE

The 2009-2010 women’s season will start on Nov. 7 at Simmons. The Blazers will stay on the road against St. Joseph’s (ME) (Nov. 14), Smith (Nov. 17) and Colby-Sawyer (Nov. 21).

Elms will then compete at the GNAC Championships on Dec. 5-6, before closing out the 2009 portion of its schedule on Dec. 12 at UMass-Dartmouth.

Four home events highlight the women’s schedule, all four taking place in 2010. The Blazers will host Mount Saint Mary’s (NY) on Jan. 9, Western New England College (WNEC) on Jan. 19, Regis on Jan. 30, and a dual-meet with St. Joseph College (CT) and Husson on Feb. 6.

The Blazers will compete against Mount Holyoke (at Clark) on Jan. 15, and will travel to Gordon College for a tri-meet with Norwich on Jan. 23.

The women’s season will conclude with the NEISDA Championships on Feb. 19.

WRAP UP

The Blazers take to the pool this season with high expectations. With a common goal of qualifying several swimmers for the NEISDA Championship as the chief focus for this season, those expectations will likely be met.

“I think everyone is a little more focused this year,” Coach Tyler remarked. “I think it’s because they realize that we have a more talented team this season, and that’s going to help us get to where we want to be at the end of the year.”