Keene State set to defend NEISDA Championships

KEENE, N.H.  2/16/10 – Keene State College will be looking to defend their men’s and women’s New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA) championships this weekend (Feb. 18-20) at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction, Vt. But it won’t be easy. 

The Keene State women, looking for their fourth straight championship, and the KSC men, vying for their third consecutive title, will face formidable competition, especially from Bentley University. 

“We’ve been very successful the last couple of years, but it’s an arms race,” said KSC Coach Jack Fabian. “Teams have reacted to us. They also changed how the meet is run by scoring out more places, which makes it more difficult for smaller teams.” 

Diving and swimming points are combined to determine the champion. Following last weekend’s diving events, the Keene State men find themselves leading Bentley by 32 points while the Owl women trail the Falcons by 92 points.

The Keene State men will be led by senior swimmers D.J. Collis (Laconia, N.H.), Patrick Luciano (Warren, N.J.), Dan Morse (Hope, R.I.), Connor Pennoyer (Norwalk, Conn.), Lucas Pozzetta (Merrimack, N.H.), and Cody Larrimore (Trappe, Md.). Larrimore was named the NEISDA swimmer of the meet last year after winning the 50 and 100 free, the 100 fly, and being a member of three winning relays.

“I think this is going to be one for the books,” said Larrimore. “We’re hoping to set a lot of records and also make some NCAA championship cuts.”

Making his first appearance at the championship, Drew Ledwith (Keene, N.H.), who has already set four individual KSC records, should also be a key competitor for the Owls.

The Owl women will be led by juniors Jillian Whitaker (Gilford, N.H.) and Maureen O’Leary (Nashua, N.H.) and sophomore Kaila Umbarger (Chelmsford, Mass.). Last year, Umbarger swam to wins in the 50 and 100 free and 50 fly and was a member of four winning relays, earning NEISDA swimmer of the meet honors.

“I think we’re going to do well," said Umbarger. “We’re all tapering very well and getting excited.”

  “We lost some great teammates from last year, but we also gained some great freshmen,” said Whitaker. "The first-year swimmers have really worked hard and have fit right in with the team.”

Freshmen Stephanie Murray (Haverhill, Mass.), Chelsea Nolan (Lowell, Mass.), and Lianna Wissmann (Orleans, Mass.) are expected to make major contributions for the Owls this weekend.

While Fabian hopes the Owls score well as a team at the NEISDA meet, he also has his eyes on the NCAA championship and making national cut times. “We have a lot of impact swimmers who could qualify in several events this weekend, including relays,” Fabian said. “It’s not only about winning; it’s also about winning with good times.”

“This is a big weekend,” Fabian added. "We’ve trained very hard, so I’m expecting some great performances.”