Owl swimmers and divers set for big meet against Bentley on Saturday

            KEENE, N.H. 1/21/11 – There was a time when Bentley University, then Bentley College, was a fixture on Keene State schedules. As a member of the New England Collegiate Conference from 1986 to 1997, Owl teams frequently crossed over and went up against programs in the Northeast-10, the other Division II conference in New England. 

            These days, only two Keene State teams have the Falcons on their schedule. But when Keene State men's and women's swim teams face Bentley University, the temperature in the pool warms a few degrees. 

            Keene State and Bentley renew their rivalry on Saturday when the Falcons come to Spaulding Gym pool for a 1 p.m. meet. It's a meet the Owls always have circled on their calendars.  "We look forward to this meet every year," said KSC women's captain Bridget Kline. "It's really a challenging meet and serves as a preview of how we're going to do at the New England championships."

            "We're excited to see what Bentley has in store for us," added fellow women's captain Jessica Laidley. "We figured out if we hit Bentley hard at the beginning of the meet, they usually fall apart."

            The men's meet is just as competitive.  "We're going after it," said senior Connor Pennoyer.  "Bentley is one of our biggest competitors."

            The Owls and the Falcons are no strangers in the pool. In addition to a regularly scheduled dual meet, KSC, up until a few years ago, traveled down to Waltham, Mass., for the Bentley Invitational. The two teams, as members of the New England Intercollegiate Swimming Association, also have battled for NEISDA swimming supremacy of late. 

            Keene State has had the better of Falcons in recently years. In the women's competition, the Owls (2-4) have won three of the last four dual meets and broke Bentley's six-year reign as NEISDA champs in 2008, capturing three consecutive New England titles. When it comes to the men's field, KSC (3-0) has won three straight dual meets and put an end to Bentley's four-year run as NEISDA winners. Looking to create their own dynasty, the Keene State men have won the New England crown the past two years.    

            Both Keene State teams will have their work cut out for them keeping their dual-meet streak going on Saturday. The Bentley women (9-0) and men (7-1) not only bring impressive records into the meet, but have a well-stocked roster of swimmers.

            The timing of the meet isn't in the Owls' favor. Keene State teams are just returning to competition after an extensive winter training schedule. "It's going to be tough," said KSC Coach Jack Fabian. "We're coming out of winter training and really don't rest for the meet. So we'll have to defend our honor by being very sore and tired. That will add to the challenge."