Wagner College Swimming & Diving 2014-2015 Schedule DATE
OPPONENT
LOCATION
TIME
10/10/2014
Bryant
Smithfield, RI
4:00 p.m.
10/11/2014
Vermont
Burlington, VT
12:00 p.m.
10/25/2014
Iona/St. Francis Brooklyn/ Sacred Heart/Rutgers
New York, NY
11:30 a.m.
10/31/2014
Rutgers
Piscataway, NJ
4:00 p.m.
11/1/2014
Mount Saint Mary’s
Staten Island, NY
11:00 a.m.
11/7/2014 11/8/2014
Saint Francis U.
Staten Island, NY
6:00 p.m.
Siena College
Staten Island, NY
2:00 p.m.
11/21 - 23/2014
Frank Elm Invitational
Piscataway, NJ
TBA
12/5 - 7/2013 1/17/2015
US Winter Nationals
Greensboro, NC
TBA
Rhode Island
Kingston, RI
1:00 p.m.
1/24/2015
LIU Post
Brooklyn, NY
1:00 p.m.
1/25/2015
Bucknell
Brookville, NY
TBA
1/31/2015
St. Francis Brooklyn(Senior Meet)
Staten Island, NY
1:00 p.m.
2/7/2015
Central Connecticut
New Britain, CT
1:00 p.m.
Boston, MA
TBD
2/19-22/2014 Northeast Conference Swimming & Diving Championships
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving WAGNER COLLEGE QUICK FACTS Location....................................................Staten Island, NY Enrollment...............................................2,400 (2.000 undergraduate) President..................................................Dr. Richard Guarasci Founded...................................................1883 Nickname.................................................Seahawks Colors........................................................Green and White Conference...............................................Northeast (NEC) Facility......................................................Wagner Pool (Spiro Center) Athletics Director..................................Walt Hameline Athletics Phone......................................(718) 390-3433 Athletics Fax...........................................(718) 390-3347 SEAHAWKS SWIMMING & DIVING COACHING STAFF Head Coach.............................................Colin Shannahan Alma Mater..............................................Columbia, 2002 Years at Wagner.....................................Fourth Season E-mail........................................................colin.shannahan@wagner.edu Office Phone............................................(718) 390-3191
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2014-2015 Schedule................................................................ 2 Quick Facts/Credits............................................................... 3 2014-2015 Season Outlook.................................................... 4-5 This Is Wagner........................................................................ 6-7 We Are Seahawks................................................................... 8-9 Facilities.................................................................................... 10-11 Administration........................................................................ 13-15 Support Staff & Coaches...................................................... 16-17 Directions.................................................................................. 18 The Northeast Conferernce................................................. 19-23 Coaching Staff.......................................................................... 24-25 Meet The Seahawks............................................................... 26-47 2013-2014 Review................................................................... 48 Top-Time List.......................................................................... 49
Diving Coach...........................................Megan Marco Alma Mater..............................................Penn State, 2011 Years at Wagner.....................................Third Season E-mail........................................................megan.marco@wagner.edu Office Phone............................................(718) 390-3191 Assistant Swim Coach..........................Sarah Tanner Alma Mater..............................................North Carolina, 2012 Years at Wagner.....................................Second Season E-mail........................................................sarah.tanner@wagner.edu Office Phone............................................(718) 420-4063 WAGNER MEDIA INFORMATION Sports Information Director...............John Beisser Swimming & Diving Contact.............Daniel Hunt Office Phone............................................(718) 390-3213 Cell Phone................................................(239) 273-9155 E-Mail.......................................................daniel.hunt@wagner.edu Fax.............................................................(718) 390-3347 Official Wagner Website.....................www.wagnerathletics.com Media Relations Mailing Address.....One Campus Road ....................................................................Staten Island, NY 10301
2013-2014 YEAR IN REVIEW Overall Dual Record..............................11-1 (.917) NEC Dual Record..................................5-0 (.1.000) NEC Finish..............................................First Place THE NORTHEAST CONFERENCE The NEC office, located in Somerset, New Jersey, provides weekly releases and updated statistics to working media and fans. Media Relations Intern Erin Bean can be reached at 732-469-0440, Ext. 208 or by e-mail at ebean@northeastconference.org. All NEC releases, standings and statistics are posted on the league web site (www.northeastconference.org) on a daily basis.
MEDIA GUIDE CREDITS The 2014-2015 Wagner College swimming & diving guide was designed and written by Daniel Hunt, swimming & diving contact and media relations assistant, with editorial assistance from John Beisser, Kevin Ross, Greg Cusick, Colin Shannahan, Sarah Tanner, and Meg Marco. Photography by David Saffran, and Gene Boyars the Wagner College Media Relations Department.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
2014-2015 Season Outlook Through the combination of a host of talented returnees and an infusion of first-year talent, the 2014-2015 Wagner swimming and diving team will look to defend its NEC title that the Seahawks copped last season in Boston, MA. Head swimming coach Colin Shannahan, the 2014 NEC Coach of the Year, returns for his fourth season alongside head diving coach Meg Marco, who is in her third season, and second-year assistant coach Sarah Tanner. Shannahan asserts that the 2014-2015 Seahawks are balanced in all events, is enthused with his deep and experienced veterans and excited about the addition of 10 new student-athletes and believes that the team is ready to make a run at back-to-back NEC titles this year. Towards that goal, the Green & White have done relentless training to make sure that they not only match last year’s success, but to also try and go above and beyond that. FREESTYLE Leading the way in the sprint category is senior captain Sam Sides (Cherry Hill, NJ / Cherry Hill East), and junior Corinne Rondina (Staten Island, NY / Notre Dame Academy). Sides will look to build on her strong year last year when she finished in the top three many times and was a major contributor to the championship. Rondina was able to get a first place finish in the 50 with a time of 24.89 last year. The Green & White will have a strong mid-distance freestyle this year with the addition of three talented freshmen. Kristy Hessing(Bloomington, IL / Normal Community), Maddie McNichol (Downingtown, PA / Henderson) and Kristine Sullivan (Overland Park, KS / Notre Dame de Sion) will look to help the team build on the momentum of last season by adding depth to this event. Along with the multitude of sprinters, Wagner also possesses one of the deepest distance cores in the NEC, a unit led by sophomore Grace Baird (Lexington, NC / West Davidson High School) who is the returning NEC champion in the distance events. Also anchoring the distance events is one of last year’s finalists, junior Maggie Shaw (Chantilly, VA / Chantilly). This group also added more depth in the form of freshman Leahi Camacho (Kailua Kona, HI / Kealakene). Bolstering the distance core is junior Kendall Kulper(Gold River, CA / Rio Americano), and sophomore Marisa Petrarca (Providence, RI / Johnston Senior High School) who will look to continue the success that they enjoyed last season. Shannahan is confident in the concrete foundation of the distance swimmers, a unit that looks to improve even more this coming season. BREASTSTROKE Sophomore Katja Claesson (Fullerton, CA / Troy High School) leads the breaststroke group as she was a finalist in the 100 and the 200 Breast at the NEC Championships. She also set the pool record versus LIU Post in the 100 Breast with a time of 1:07.25, but had her best time in the 100 Breast at Rutgers with a time of 1:06.27. Junior Kara Lacoste (Chicopee, MA / Chicopee Comprehensive) and senior Morgan Stoner (Greensburg, PA / Hempfield Area Senior) are a pair of battle-tested veterans who will joined by Delaware state champion and freshman Maggie Slocomb (Landenburg, PA / St. Marks, making the Seahawk breaststroke nucleus one of the biggest threats in the NEC. BUTTERFLY This event is a traditionally a strong one for the Seahawks and this year features former 200 Fly Champion Amanda Lucia (Easthampton, MA / Easthampton) who participated in the 200 Fly six times last season and had her best met vs. Vermont where she finished first with a time of 2:06.1.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
2014-2015 Season Outlook Junior Erin Malone (Sewell, NJ / Washington Township) and freshman Erin Finn (Middletown, NJ / Middletown North) also figure to be keys to the success of this group, which also returns Sides in the 100 Fly where she provides frontline speed. Expected to further bolster this unit is junior Michele Detka (Buckeye, AZ / Verrado (University of Houston)), a transfer from the University of Houston. BACKSTROKE Wagner returns a deep and talented group of backstroke specialists, highlighted by a solid foundation of juniors in Meghan Mendez (Export, PA / PA Cyber), Lacoste, and Malone. Sophomore Anu Nihipali (Honolulu, HI / Hawaii Preparatory Academy) took the NEC by storm last year displaying, her talent in the water by breaking the 100 & 200 Back Conference Record. Not only did she set the conference record in the 100 but she also set the Wagner record for the 100 Back vs. Rutgers when she finished in first place with a time of 55.87. Junior Kaitlin Murtha (New Fairfield, CT / New Fairfield) and Camacho will add further depth to the group in the 200 backstroke as well. INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY The Seahawks return the 400 IM champion in Lucia, and look to continue their accomplishments in this event. Nihipali also won the 200 IM for the team last year. Juniors Lacoste and Murtha will be major contributors again this season in the individual medley. The team added depth with freshmen Camacho and Slocomb, both of whom come to the Wagner program with impressive credentials. DIVING In only its fourth year, the Wagner diving program has already established itself in the NEC as a consistent force. In the 2013-2014 season, Lee and Curry earned NEC Diver of the Week accolades almost every single week. A finalist on both boards at the 2014 NEC Championships, Lee placed third on both the one-meter and the three-meter boards. She also broke the school record for the one-meter board at Siena for the second year in a row. Marco expects the team to have an even better year as the Seahawks have been put on a new strength and conditioning regiment specifically designed for divers, and have added new dives into the mix with excellent execution. The Wagner swimming & diving team also returns two top-tier divers in seniors Mallory Lee (Newark, CA / Moreau Catholic), and junior Erica Curry (Fountain Valley, CA / Fountain Valley). With both divers on both the one-meter and three-meter boards, Lee, and Curry are hoping to produce even better results this coming season as they have worked to increase their degree of difficulty on each dive. The program also adds a pair of excellent prospects in freshmen Sam Lavrich (Audubon, PA / Methacton) and Grace Solipaca (Philadelphia, PA / Bishop Eustace). Marco fully expects that both of these freshmen will come in and be contributors to the team right away.
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As tenacious as any Seahawk, Wagner College enjoys a bucolic perch atop Grymes Hill overlooking Manhattan and the other boroughs of New York City. Founded in 1883 as a Lutheran proseminary, Wagner has evolved to become an independent residential liberal arts college enrolling a capacity of over 2,000 students. The location of the College above the gateway to one of the world’s greatest financial and cultural capitals was the work of alumnus Frank Sutter who convinced the College’s Board of Trustees to relocate Wagner here from Rochester in 1918. In this, the Rev. Sutter and the trustees were extraordinarily prescient. Their wisdom provided Wagner with a distinct geographical advantage over all other all liberal arts colleges in the country. Wagner is New York State’s southernmost college and its 105 park-like acres represent the highest elevation on the eastern seaboard from Maine to Key West Florida. The College’s signature curriculum – the Wagner Plan for the Practical Liberal Arts – capitalizes on the best of a traditional, suburban, liberal arts college campus and the infinite array of educational opportunities afforded by New York City. Students intern in the world’s leading financial institutions. They observe and experience diversity from the sophisticated workings of the United Nations to melting pots of multicultural neighborhoods. They circulate in the city’s unparalleled creative environment of museums, media, and performing arts. This is their laboratory. They immerse themselves and are inspired by the city’s sheer energy. The contrast between the frenetic life of the city and the almost pastoral setting of the campus is the perfect metaphor for the melding of experiential and theoretical education that is the hallmark of The Wagner Plan. In small learning communities, students and faculty explore the conceptual foundations of the arts, humanities, and sciences. The faculty challenges students to consider new ideas, to master new skills and technologies, and to reflect and draw meaning from what they have experienced in and out of the classroom. A lush canopy of mature maples and oaks shades Wagner’s 105-acre campus of manicured lawns and gardens; historic and modern buildings; and sweeping views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New York Harbor. In early 2009, former U.S. President Bill Clinton recognized Wagner College and President Richard Guarasci, at the second annual Clinton Global Initiative University. Wagner was cited for the Port Richmond Partnership, an innovative program that will focus the school’s community resources in an effort to improve quality of life in a specific Staten Island neighborhood. Movie companies have frequently used the campus as a classic college setting, most recently for a movie titled “School of Rock” starring Jack Black (Shallow Hal). The picturesque campus was also used in a fall 2001 television series, The Education of Max Bixford, starring Richard Dreyfus and as the site of a prospective private military school in the HBO series, The Sopranos.
Since the adoption of the Wagner Plan in 1997, enrollment has increased by nearly 40 percent and student quality as measured by high school average and SAT scores have improved as well. Once largely a commuter campus, now 82 percent of all undergraduates live on campus in residence halls that offer “million dollar” views. Though continuing to serve students from metropolitan New York, the college draws most of its enrollment from beyond the immediate region. By every measure – enrollment, endowment, and national reputation – Wagner is ascending the ranks of America’s strongest small colleges that blend the liberal arts with a commitment to service and preparation for the professions. Campus life includes the array of sports provided by an NCAA Division I program which is housed in a 93,000-square-foot sports center featuring an extensive fitness center, an indoor NCAA swimming pool and a basketball arena. A football and track & field stadium showcases a variety of playing fields throughout the campus including baseball, softball, lacrosse and soccer venues. Wagner’s alumni include Broadway Tony award winners, movie stars, film producers, playwrights, and Fortune 500 CEO’s including the chairman of GE Investments, the chairman of Dupont Europe, the chairman Emeritus of The Oppenheimer Management Company and the chairman of the New York Power Authority. Visitors to and residents of New York City alike enjoy access to a rich and diverse array of museums, cultural organizations, arts performances, sports teams, societies and attractions. Some of the best and most famous attractions in the world call New York City home. We encourage you to find out more about them, so that you can plan a visit to what is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world. To get to Manhattan from Staten Island, you can take a ride on the world-famous Staten Island Ferry, a well-recognized icon of New York City transportation, and incidentally, a free ride into the heart of New York City.
Majors & Programs Anthropology* Art* Art History (minor only) Arts Administration
Art, Music, Theatre, Combined Arts
Biology* Biopsychology Business Administration Accounting, Finance, International Business, Management, Marketing
Chemistry*
Biochemistry
Computer Science* Dance (minor only) Economics* Education Dual Certification in Childhood (Elementary) and Special Education, Theater Arts (K-12), Minor in Adolescent (Secondary) Education
English* Environmental Studies French Gender Studies (minor only) German (minor only) History* Information Systems (minor only) International Affairs
International Politics International Economics
Italian Studies (minor only) Journalism (minor only) Mathematics* Microbiology* Music*
Nursing Philosophy (minor only) Physician Asst. (Jan. 1 deadline) Physics* Political Science* Psychology* Public Policy and Administration Religious Studies (minor only) Sociology Academic Sociology, Criminal Justice, Family Studies
Spanish* Theatre* (Dec. 15 deadline) Performance; Design/Technology/ Management
Pre-Professional Programs Health: Chiropractic, Dental, Medical, Optometry, Pharmacy, Podiatry, Veterinary Other: Law, Engineering, Ministry
5-Year Master’s Program Accounting Graduate Division Advanced Physician Assistant Studies Business Administration Education Microbiology Nursing *=major and minor available Italics=concentration
Wagner’s unique location offers students a campus setting that feels hundreds of miles away from anywhere, while actually only a ferry ride away from the professional and cultural riches of the world’s most dynamic city New York City
Wagner College Swimming & Diving
In September of 2012, Wagner College Stadium was renamed in honor of longtime athletic director and head football coach Walt Hameline. Hameline Field serves as the home for Wagner football, women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s lacrosse. The stadium features the Lebovitz Family Scoreboard, which was donated in 2010, and a synthetic field turf surface.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Gregory P. Knapp ‘65 Strength Room
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Richard DDr. r. R ichard Guarasci Guarasci Wagner W agner College CollegePresident President
Dr. Richard Guarasci is the 18th President of Wagner College, where he was
Dr. Richard Guarasci is the 18th President Wagner College, where hefor wasacademic previouslyand the Provost previously the Provost and Senior ViceofPresident, responsible and Senior Vice President, responsible for academic and affairs, admissions, and support student affairs, admissions, and support service, instudent addition to serving as the chief service, in addition to serving as the chief operating officer. He holds the rank of Professor of Political operating officer. He holds the rank of Professor of Political Science and he teaches Science and heofteaches in the areas of democracy, citizenship diversity. and American diversity. in the areas democracy, citizenship and American Dr. Guarasci foundedfounded The Wagner for the Practical Arts,Liberal the four-year curriculum for all At Wagner, At Wagner, Dr. Guarasci The Plan Wagner Plan for theLiberal Practical Arts, the four-year undergraduates, that draws together a substantive arts core into a series liberal of learning experiential curriculum for all undergraduates, that drawsliberal together a substantive artscommunities core into aand series of learning tutorials. learning communities and experiential learning tutorials. was Dean the College Professor Political Science at Hobart College from 1992-1997. Dr. Guarasci Dr. Guarasci wasofDean of theand College andofProfessor of Political Science at Hobart CollegePreviously from he served as Dean and founding Director of the First Year Program at St. Lawrence University, a nationally celebrated 1992-1997. Previously he served as Dean and founding Director of the First Year Program at St. LawmodelUniversity, program of democratic living and learning required for all first year studentsliving that joined first year housing to for a two rence a nationally celebrated model program of democratic and learning required semester schedule. all first year students that joined first year housing to a two semester schedule. is the author Democratic Education inEducation the Age of Difference: Redefining Citizenship in HigherCitiEducation Dr. Guarasci Dr. Guarasci is theofauthor of Democratic in the Age of Difference: Redefining zenship in Higher (Jossey-Bass, 1997), and numerous other publications including 3 books, (Jossey-Bass, 1997),Education and numerous other publications including 3 books, more than 20 articles and more than 50 more than 20 articles and than 50 conference presentations. He is now a national leader inthroughout higher conference presentations. Hemore is now a national leader in higher education with many speaking engagements education many throughout the United States. He is ancolleges. active educational the Unitedwith States. He isspeaking an activeengagements educational consultant for more than 20 universities and Time Magazine consultant for thanUndergraduate 20 universities and colleges. Time Magazine as a National Unselected him as more a National Educator and he received awards fromselected the Searshim Foundation, the Glitz Family dergraduate Educator and he received awards from the Sears Foundation, the Glitz Family Prize and Prize and many other citations including a day of recognition by proclamation of the City Council in Geneva, New York. many other citations including a day proclamation of the City inservice Geneva, Recently, Congressman Vito Fossella andof therecognition Staten Islandby Civic Association both cited himCouncil for public on Staten New York. Recently, Congressman Vito Fossella and the Staten Island Civic Association both cited Island. He served on the National Board of Directors of the American Association of Colleges and Universities,The Board him for public service on Staten Island. Heofserved on the National Board of Directors the American of Trustees of the Independent Colleges Fund New York and he is co-chair of New York State of Campus Compact. He Association of Colleges and Universities,The Board of Trustees of the Independent Colleges Fund of is a Fellow of the Society for Values in Higher Education (SVHE) and a PEW Foundation Fellow with the Washington New York he is in co-chair New York StateinCampus He isHea is Fellow of the forfor the Center forand Learning buildingofnatural leadership LearningCompact. Communities. a member of Society the faculty Values in Higher Education (SVHE) and a PEW Foundation Fellow with the Washington Center for Asheville Institute and an Advising Board Member for the Models for Democracy Project of SVHE. Learning in building natural leadership in Learning Communities. He is a member of the faculty for the Asheville Institute an Advising Board forArts” the Models Democracy Project of SVHE. Dr.the Dr. Guarasci recentlyand authored ‘Developing theMember Democratic in About for Campus (Feb. 2001) and “On Becoming Guarasci recently authored ‘Developing the Democratic Arts” in About Campus (Feb. 2001) and “On Good College: Lessons Learned” in Liberal Education. Becoming the Good College: Lessons Learned” in Liberal Education.
Dr. Guarasci holds a Bachelor of Science from Fordham University. He received his M.A. in Economics and Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University.
Walter Hameline
T he Wagner Plan Director of Athletics / Head Football Coach
Entering his 32nd year, the relentlessly energetic and optimistic Walt Hameline continues to amass an
Wagner College developed and a curriculum astounding record has of achievement consistency. that unites deep learning andNov. practical application. The Wagner Plan incorporates our Championship Subdivision (FCS) coach to win On 6, 2010, Hameline became just the eighth active Football longstanding commitment to the liberal arts, experiential learning 200 games with a 31-20 victory over Monmouth and ranks 66th (tied) on the all-time NCAA wins list (any level). He is one of just 36 coaches to win 200 games at one and enters the 2012 and interdisciplinary education with our school geographical location andseason with an overall record of 204-122-2 (.624) over his 31-year head coaching career at Wagner. enduring bond with New York City.
Hameline has enjoyed a long and proud association with metropolitan area basketball and the NIT. For more than two decades, he was of five metroat area athletic students directors, not along with his peers at NYU, Fordham, Manhattan and St. Beginning their veryone first semester Wagner, only John’s, who helped comprise the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball study issues and learn critical-thinking, writing and problem-solving Association (MIBA). Along with NIT Executive Director Powers andand the sitting ECAC MIBA,This of which Hameline was a past president, selected teams skills, butJack they also see practice whatCommissioner. they are learning. for both pre-season and post-season NIT’s while directing other functions such as the annual NIT All-Star Summer Tour. “practical” side of liberal education is clearly seen in our Learning While his coaching success is immense, Hameline has been equally effective as an administrator. Under Hameline’s Communities and Reflective Tutorials and in the investment faculty leadership, the Seahawk athletic department has undergone an ambitious expansion in both sport offerings and facility immake in connecting students with the world outside the classroom. provements. Hameline was influential in establishing the Seahawk Golf Classic, and the Seahawk Club, a pair of initiatives aimed at increasing funds for the scholarship endowment and complete financial support for the athletic department. Under the Wagner Plan, students complete a liberaland artsthanks core program Most recently, under Hameline’s leadership to the generosity of one of his former offensive lineman, and a major, totaling 36 units/courses. Aswas partthe of beneficiary these requirements, Marc Lebovitz, Wagner College Stadium of a striking state-of-the-art video scoreboard in 2010. Lebostudents complete Learning (LC’s)-one in the vitz, a member of thethree Seahawks’ 1987Communities Division III National Championship football team and a 1991 Wagner graduate, is first one during the intermediate years, andThe one in the senior now year, a highly-successful New Jersey businessman. scoreboard represents a major facility upgrade for the Seahawk footyear in the major. ball program, while also benefiting the women’s soccer, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s track and field programs who share Wagner College Stadium. students Hameline’s overall coaching ledger includes five ECAC Championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances and For admitted to the Honors Program, courses are designed the 1987 NCAA National Championship all exceptional told, 10 post-season appearances in 29 seasons. Hameline won to stimulate andDivision challengeIIIthem intellectually and to— offer his 175th career game all at Wagner with a come-from-behind victory academic and co-curricular opportunities. Honors courses are over St. Francis (PA) in the 2005 season finale. He became the winningest coach in Wagner College history in 1990. more challenging, involve more discussion/debate, and often (if always) The highlight, of course, the 19-3 win over heavily-favored Dayton in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the 1987 not require longer and ismore in depth research papers and NCAA Division III National Championship. Against one of the toughest schedules in the nation, Hameline’s Seahawks oral presentations by students. The Program is affiliated with the rolled to a 13-1 record, winning more games than any college football team in America. The team earned the school’s secNational Collegiate Honors Council. ond Lambert Trophy, symbolic of football superiority in the East among Division III schools, and ECAC Team of the Year recognition. Following the season, in addition to Sports Illustrated writing a feature story, a host of national and regional organizations recognized Hameline, highlighted by his being named the Chevrolet National Coach of the Year. The 60-year old administrator has been a key developer of the NEC, serving on numerous committees, and is a past president of the league. Nine years ago, Hameline was honored for his playing, coaching and administrative achievements when he was inducted into the Utica Sports Hall of Fame. In addition, Hameline was given the All-America Football Foundation Johnny Vaught Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. An outstanding defensive back at Brockport State, Hameline received his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1975, and went on to earn his Master’s Degree in education from the University of Albany in 1977. Hameline resides in Colts Neck, NJ, with his wife, Debi, and they are the proud parents of daughters Kristen and Kelly.
Wagner College Swimming & Diving Walter Hameline DirectorofAthletics/HeadFootballCoach
Athletic Director As he enters his 34th season in the dual role of Wagner College Director of Athletics/Head Football Coach, Walt Hameline continues to amass an astounding record of achievement and consistency in college athletics. The results derived from this energetic leader, who approaches each day with relentless energy, passion and enthusiasm, are profound.
For the last eight years, the Northeast Conference (NEC) has presented the Institutional Academic Award to the league member who attains the highest overall institutional grade-point average amongst student-athletes competing in sports sponsored by the NCAA Division I conference. In 2012-2013, for an NEC-record third time, Wagner claimed this award with an NEC-record 3.305 grade point average in its 19 sponsored sports. Additionally, the 2012-2013 Seahawks’ soccer (3.540), indoor women’s track & field (3.457), outdoor women’s track & field (3.457) and men’s lacrosse (3.230) teams paced their 15465respective sports. In 2013-2014, the Seahawks’ Swimming & Diving (3.537), Men’s Lacrosse (3.221) and Football (2.969) squads all won the Team GPA Award for their respective sports. The 2013-2014 academic year was a high-water mark for Seahawk student-athletes on a variety of fronts as Wagner claimed both the SAAC Student-Athlete of the Year (Meredith Ketchmark – Swimming & Diving) and the NEC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Ellen Huffman – Golf) Awards. Wagner also had three student-athletes earn NEC Scholar-Athlete of the year Award in their respective sports this past academic year in Huffman (Golf), Kelsey Parker (Softball) and Matthew Kane (Track & Field). Each year, the NCAA recognizes teams that score in the top 10 percent in their sport with respect to Academic Progress Rates (APR). In 2013-2014, five Wagner athletic teams – men’s and women’s tennis, women’s basketball, women’s cross country and women’s golf – were cited by the NCAA with public recognition awards. Additionally, a total of 237 Seahawk student-athletes earned spots on the 2013-2014 NEC Academic Honor Roll, with 64 being named in the fall, 54 in the winter, and 119 in the spring. Of the 64 members of the 2013 Fall NEC Honor Roll, 29 were members of the Wagner football team that is coached by Hameline. In April of 2012, Hameline, who has enjoyed a long and proud association with metropolitan area basketball and the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), was the recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Service Award from the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MBWA). Distinguished Service Awards are presented by the MBWA to individuals that have made significant contributions to college basketball. For more than two decades, he was one of five metro area athletic directors, along with his peers at NYU, Fordham, Manhattan and St. John’s, who helped comprise the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Association (MIBA). Along with NIT Executive Director Jack Powers, Hameline helped select teams for both preseason and postseason NIT’s, while directing other functions such as the NIT All-Star Summer Tour. Under Hameline’s leadership, the Wagner Athletic Department has undergone an ambitious expansion in both sport offerings and facility improvements. Most recently, and thanks to the generosity of one of his former offensive lineman and now highly-successful business man, Marc Lebovitz, Wagner College Stadium was the beneficiary of a striking state-of-the-art video scoreboard in 2010. The scoreboard, donated by Lebovitz, a member of the Seahawks’ 1987 Division III National Championship football team and a 1991 Wagner graduate, represented a major facility upgrade for the Green & White football program, while also benefiting the women’s soccer, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and men’s & women’s track and field programs.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving Head Football Coach During a stirring ceremony prior to kickoff of the September 15, 2012, Wagner vs. Monmouth game, the field at Wagner College Stadium was named Hameline Field in honor of his long-time success at the helm of the Seahawk gridiron program. In a coaching career that has spanned 33 seasons – from 1981 to 2013 - Hameline owns a 216-135-2 (.615) record and ranked fifth among active FCS coaches in career wins. November 6, 2010 was another historic day in Hameline’s career, another that also involved Monmouth, as the Seahawks’ 31-20 win over the Hawks’ that was career victory number 200. In 2012, Hameline, who has coached more than 100 All-Americans and nearly 100 All-NEC players, led the Seahawks to their first-ever Northeast Conference (NEC) Football Championship with a thrilling 23-17 come-from-behind victory over Duquesne on November 17, 2012, while clinching a berth in the 2012 Division I FCS Championship. The win personified the Green & White’s exhilarating season. Wagner began the season with three straight losses, before winning its next nine games. In defying the odds throughout its triumphant march to the school’s first-ever Northeast Conference (NEC) title and the conference’s first-ever NCAA FCS win, Wagner compiled a 9-4 record, including a 7-1 mark in the NEC. The Seahawks finished the season ranked 21st in The Sports Network Final Top-25 Poll and 22nd in the Final FCS Coaches Poll, an achievement that marked the first time an NEC team has ended the season with an appearance in both official Top-25 polls. The accolades soon began to pour in for Hameline. After being named the 2012 NEC Football Coach of the year, he was tabbed the 2012 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Coach of the Year by both College Football News (CFN) and the College Sports Journal (CSJ). Hameline was also named as one of the 20 nominees for the Eddie Robinson Award, which since 1987 has been awarded annually to college football’s top head coach in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Shortly after receiving the news of his twin National Coach of the Year honors, Hameline was inducted into the New Jersey Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame. Not to be lost amid the host of accomplishments by the 2012 team, is the fact that Hameline helped lead the school to a 30-0 victory at nationally-ranked Albany in the week following Hurricane Sandy. After returning from the state capital, Hameline joined many of his team members aiding in the recovery efforts in some of Staten Island’s hardest-hit areas. Hameline also saw his first former player crack the NFL ranks when Julian Stanford made the 2012 Jacksonville Jaguars’ 53-man roster, becoming the first Seahawk in the NFL since Wagner Hall of Famer Rich Kotite suited up for the New York Giants in 1972. Currently a member of the Detroit Lions, Stanford is one of two former Seahawks currently playing in a major professional football league, along with C.O. Prime of the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Prior to the momentous 2012 season, Hameline’s overall coaching ledger included five ECAC Titles and three NCAA Tournament Appearances, highlighted by 1987 NCAA Division III National Championship. In the magical Championship Season of 1987, Wagner posted a 19-3 win over heavily-favored Dayton in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl to earn the NCAA Division III National Championship. Against one of the toughest schedules in the nation, Hameline’s Seahawks rolled to a 13-1 record, winning more games than any college football team in America. The team earned the school’s second Lambert Trophy, symbolic of football superiority in the East among Division III schools, and ECAC Team of the Year recognition. Following the season, in addition to Sports Illustrated writing a feature story, a host of national and regional organizations recognized Hameline, highlighted by him being named the Chevrolet National Coach of the Year. In 1990, just three years after winning the school’s only National Championship, Hameline became the winningest coach in school history. The 62-year old administrator has been a key developer of the NEC, serving on numerous committees, and is a past president of the league. Nine years ago, the New Hartford, NY native was honored for his playing, coaching and administrative achievements when he was inducted into the Utica Sports Hall of Fame. In addition, Hameline was given the All-America Football Foundation Johnny Vaught Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. An outstanding defensive back at Brockport State, Hameline received his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1975, and went on to earn his Master’s Degree in education from the University of Albany in 1977. Hameline resides in Colts Neck, NJ, with his wife, Debi, and they are the proud parents of daughters Kristen and Kelly.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving SUPPORT STAFF
Brendan Fahey Associate AD/ Business Manager
Danny Hunt Media Relations Assistant
Peg Hefferan Associate AD/ Senior Women’s Administrator
Chris Fourman Assistant AD for Academics & Compliance
John Beisser Assistant AD of Media Relations
Mike Miller Javier Jiminez Assistant AD for Assistant AD/ Marketing & Head Athletic Trainer Promotions
Greg Cusick Brian Walsh TimQuinn Hayden Palozej Marketing/Media Media Relations Equipment Manager Fitness Center Relations Assistant Assistant for Video Director
Katie Jordan Ticket Manager/ Marketing Assistant
Ed Arnold MariaTommasini BradNoto Da’Shena Stevens Aleksandra Filipovski Nicole Battaglia Tatum Colitz Director of Facilities and Manager of Facilities Assistant for Facilities Director of Coordinator of Academic Resource Assistant for Operations and Operations and Operations Business & Finance Business & Finance Coordinator Academics & Compliance
Rachel Walton Assistant for Academics & Compliance
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Renada Vuono Assistant for Academics & Compliance
Laura Cobb Assistant Athletic Trainer
Veronica Mondaca Assistant Athletic Trainer
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Kate Chimienti Assistant Athletic Trainer
Brian Tracz Director of Strength & Conditioning
Wagner College Swimming & Diving HEAD COACHES FALL SPORTS
Walt Hameline Football
Mike Minielli Women’s Soccer
Joe Stasi M&W Cross Country M&W Indoor Track & Field M&W Outdoor Track & Field
WINTER SPORTS
Colin Shannahan Swimming
Megan Marco Diving
Bashir Mason Men’s Basketball
Lisa Cermignano Women’s Basketball
SPRING SPORTS
Glen Payne Softball
Chris Radmonovich Water Polo
Matt Poskay Men’s Lacrosse
Chris Fourman M&W Golf
Liz Frisoli Women’s Lacrosse
Danny Kreyman Men’s Tennis
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Adrienn Hidvegi Women’s Tennis
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D irections From Points South Mid Atlantic From PointsStates Southand Southern New Jersey:
Take the New Jersey Turnpike north to Exit 10 (Outerbridge Crossing). Mid Atlantic States and Southern New Jersey: Take the New Jersey Turnpike After crossing the bridge, take Route 440 North (West north to Exit 10 (Outerbridge Crossing). After crossing the bridge, takeShore Route Expressway) approximately 6 miles to I-2786 East 440 North (Westfor Shore Expressway) for approximately miles (Staten to I-278 Island Expressway). Take I-278 East for approximately East (Staten Island Expressway). Take I-278 East for approximately 5 miles,5 miles, following signs toNarrows the Verrazano Narrows Bridge following signs to the Verrazano Bridge and Brooklyn. Take Exit Brooklyn. TakeRoad/Hyland Exit 13 (Clove Road/Richmond Road/ 13and (Clove Road/Richmond Boulevard). At the first traffic light, Hyland Boulevard). Atthe the firstlight traffic light, turn turn left onto Clove Road. At second on Clove Road, turnleft rightonto onto Clove Road. At the second light on Clove Road, turn right Howard Avenue. A sign for the College is visible at this intersection. Follow onto Howard sign for Howard Avenue toAvenue. the top ofAGrymes Hill.the College is visible at this
Car service is available between Wagner College and all three airports for By plane/train/public transportation around $40-$50 each way. Plane: Three major airports serve New York City. Wagner College is Long most easily accessed fromTransit Newark Train: Amtrak, Island Railroad and New Jersey trainsLiberty arrive at International Airport New Jersey, though and Penn Station in Manhattan atin 34th Street and 7th Avenue.LaGuardia Wagner College JFK are within reasonable travel distance. Car can beAirports reached from Manhattan by taking the Staten Island Ferry, leaving available between Wagner College and all atservice regular is intervals throughout the day from the ferry terminal in three lower airports for around $40-$50 way. Manhattan. From Penn Station, takeeach either a cab or the New York City Subway (IRT Downtown #1 or #9 train to South Ferry; IRT #4 or #5 train to Train: Green; Amtrak, Railroad and Jersey Transit Bowling IRTLong N or RIsland to Whitehall Station) toNew the Battery Park Ferry trains arrive Penn Station in Manhattan 34thFrom Street Terminal. Take theat Staten Island Ferry (no fare) to Statenat Island. the andterminal 7th Avenue. Wagner College can from ferry on Staten Island, the College is a short ridebe via reached car service, which Manhattan taking the Staten Island Ferry, leaving at can be picked upby at the terminal.
intersection. Follow Avenue to the top of Grymes Southern New Jersey Shore:Howard Take the Garden State Parkway north to ExitHill. 127 (Outerbridge Crossing/Staten Island). Follow directions from Outerbridge Southern Newabove. Jersey Shore: Take the Garden State Parkway Crossing provided
north to Exit 127 (Outerbridge Crossing/Staten Island). Follow directions from Outerbridge Crossing provided above. From Points North and East
regular intervals throughout the day from the ferry terminal in lower Manhattan. From Penn Station, take either a cab or the New York City Subway (IRT Downtown #1 or #9 train to South Ferry; IRT #4 or #5 train to Bowling Green; IRT N or R to Whitehall Station) to the Battery Park Ferry Terminal. Take the Staten Island Ferry (no fare) to Staten Island. From the ferry terminal on Staten Island, the College is a short ride via car service, which can be picked up at the terminal.
New England (via New York) and Long Island: Take either the Belt Parkway or From points northto and east the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway the Verrazano Bridge onto Staten Island; New England (via New York) and Long Island: Road). Take Follow either remain on I-278 West. Take Exit 13 (Clove Road/Richmond the Belt Parkway or the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway the the service road to the third traffic light and turn right onto Clove Road.toTake Verrazano Bridge onto Staten Island;toremain onGrymes I-278 West. the first right onto Howard Avenue and proceed the top of Hill. Take Exit 13 (Clove Road/Richmond Road). Follow the service
roadEngland to the third traffic lightTake and I-95 turnSouth. right onto Road. New (via New Jersey): CrossClove the George Take the first right onto Howard Avenue and proceed to the Washington Bridge into New Jersey. Follow signs to the New Jersey Turnpike. top of Grymes Hill. Follow the Turnpike to Exit 13 (Goethals Bridge). Cross the Goethals Bridge onto Staten Island and follow I-278 East. Follow directions from I-278 East New England provided above. (via New Jersey): Take I-95 South. Cross the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey. Follow signs
to the New Follow Turnpike to Exit 13 Northern New Jersey Jersey: Turnpike. Take the New Jersey the Turnpike to either Exit 13 (Goethals Bridge). Cross the Goethals onto Staten (Goethals Bridge) from northern New Jersey, or Exit 10Bridge (Outerbridge Crossing) Island and follow I-278 East. Follow directions from I-278 from southern/central New Jersey. Follow directions provided above from the East provided above. Goethals Bridge or Outerbridge Crossing. Northern New Jersey: Take the New Jersey Turnpike to either Exit 13 (Goethals Bridge) from northern New Jersey, or Exit 10 (Outerbridge Crossing) from southern/central New Jersey. By Plane/Train/Public Transportation Follow directions provided above Goethals Plane: Three major airports serve New Yorkfrom City. the Wagner College Bridge is most or Outerbridge easily accessed from Crossing. Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey,
though LaGuardia and JFK Airports are within reasonable travel distance.
The Staten Island Ferry is run by the City of New York for one pragmatic reason: To transport Staten Islanders to and from Manhattan. Yet, the 5 mile, 25 minute ride also provides a majestic view of New York Harbor and a no-hassle, even romantic, boat ride, for free! One guide book calls it “ One of the worlds greatest (and shortest) water voyages.” For a complete ferry schedule visit www.siferry.com.
The Staten Island Ferry is run by the City of New York for one pragmatic reason: To transport Staten Islanders to and from Manhattan. Yet, the 5 mile, 25 minute ride also provides a majestic view of New York Harbor and a no-hassle, even romantic, boat ride, for free! One guide book calls it “ One of the worlds greatest (and shortest) water voyages.” For a complete ferry schedule visit www.siferry.com
wagnerathletics.com
Wagner College Swimming & Diving About the Northeast Conference Northeast Conference History There is plenty to be excited about as the Northeast Conference enters its 34th year as an NCAA Division I athletic conference. Under the leadership of Commissioner Noreen Morris, the NEC’s ten core members remain dedicated to growth, innovation and achievement, and strengthening the Conference both on and off the field. Following a successful 2013-14 campaign, the NEC now looks forward to writing the next chapter in the league’s evolution while building around the theme of #NECPride. The NEC and its member institutions are committed to providing opportunities for student-athletes to achieve their fullest potential both in athletic competition and in the classroom. Likewise, the Conference continually strives to be an NCAA Division I leader for student-athlete achievement, academic excellence, integrity, sportsmanship, equity and diversity, community partnership and national engagement. When the Northeast Conference (NEC) was first established as the ECAC-Metro Conference back in 1981, the league’s founders had one goal in mind: to create a competitive NCAA Division I men’s basketball conference for unaffiliated schools on the Eastern seaboard. A single-sport entity at its inception, the NEC has grown far beyond expectations over the past three plus decades, having transformed itself into a 10-member, 22-sport conference. The remarkable success story of the Conference began to unfold in 1985, when the league began sponsoring additional sports. Three years later, a change of name was in order and the Northeast Conference as we know it today was born. With membership and sport sponsorship continuing to grow over the years, the NEC now enjoys qualification or play-in access to 14 different NCAA Championships (baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis and women’s volleyball). Though the NEC has featured various incarnations since its inception, charter members Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU Brooklyn, Robert Morris, St. Francis Brooklyn, Saint Francis U and Wagner remain part of the current 10-school alignment. They are joined by Mount St. Mary’s (admitted in 1989), Central Connecticut (1997), Sacred Heart (1999) and Bryant (2012). The NEC’s six-state geographic footprint includes access to such major media markets as New York City, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Hartford and Providence. NEC member institutions now compete in 22 championship sports: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s bowling, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, and women’s volleyball.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving An Innovative Leader The NEC has embraced new and social media to convey its message to a growing fan base. The conference has attracted a loyal following in recent years on its Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages, and the NEC Overtime! blog continues to grow in popularity. Likewise, the growth of NEC Front Row continues to be one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the Northeast Conference. After launching to rave reviews in August, 2012, the NEC’s state-of-the-art digital network has attracted a loyal following for its rich set of content, which includes live regular season and NEC Championship events, on-demand video, highlight packages, coaches shows, features, original programming and access to league’s extensive digital library, all free of charge to users. The network gives fans inside access to the NEC and its student-athletes on the field, in the classroom, across campus, and in the community. By the end of the 2013-14 academic year, over nearly 1,400 live events had been broadcast on NEC Front Row with nearly a half million viewers tuning in to the network. The second year of NEC Front Row saw viewership increase by a staggering 40.8 percent, with an increase in viewership numbers in every NEC sponsored sport. The NCAA men’s lacrosse match between Bryant and Siena shattered the Front Row single-event viewership record with close to 6,000 tuning in to see the Bulldogs advance to the round of 16. Last March, the Conference launched a companion NEC on the Run iOS mobile app that provides free, one-click access to live events and on-demand content from NEC Front Row. Fans can also join the conversation through the app’s social media integration. The NEC on the Run app can be downloaded on the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. For the second straight year, the NEC hosted a basketball preseason media day, but with a special twist. Combining social media and a state-of-the-art venue, the NEC hosted “Social” Media Day last October at the Barclay’s Center on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The festivities aired live on NEC Front Row and a tape-delayed broadcast received multiple airings on Fox College Sports. The Front Row broadcast was an interactive one during which fans were encouraged to tweet comments and questions with the best making it on air. NEC Front Row was there when the basketball season tipped off at “Social” Media Day, and returned for the climax as well via NEC Front Row Live! The online digital network was on the scene at the men’s and women’s title games, providing live pre- and post-game coverage via an ESPN-style floor level set. The 2013-14 season also saw the debut of NEC-hosted Google+ Hangouts on Air, featuring one-on-one interviews with NEC student-athletes, coaches and media members. The Google+ Hangouts aired live on Google+ and YouTube, and upon completion, were immediately archived and available for on-demand viewing on the aforementioned platforms as well as NEC Front Row. By year’s end, the Conference hosted 58 Google+ Hangouts that received nearly 12,000 views, beginning with the NEC Football Coaches to kickoff the 2013 season last August. Having provided an alternate take on the world of NEC sports since 2011, the NEC Overtime! Blog continued to be a favorite destination for fans of the Conference and its members. The blog showcases top news and the best of social media from around the NEC, and serves as a home for numerous fan-based contests, including the HersheyPark #SweetGetaway Contest, a smash hit during the 2014 NEC Basketball Tournament. The blog also rewarded the most rabid NEC fans who participated in social media-related activities (#NEC13 Sixth Man Award, #NECPridePix, #NECElite) throughout the NEC Basketball Tournament.
The NEC launched its most comprehensive radio advertising campaign ever last winter. The Conference maintained a
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving season-long radio presence in every market it serves with NEC Notebook segments airing in New York (WFAN Sports Radio 66 & 101.9 FM), Pittsburgh (93.7 FM “The Fan”), Baltimore (CBS Radio/ESPN Radio), Hartford (ESPN Radio/Fox Sports Radio), Altoona (ESPN Radio) and Providence (WPRO). For the first time in league history, every single NEC football and basketball televised game aired nationally in 2013-14. Football games aired exclusively on ESPN3, and the NEC partnered with ESPNU, ESPN3, Fox College Sports (FCS) and CBS College Sports to deliver over 20 basketball broadcasts. In 2014, ESPN2 broadcast the NEC men’s basketball championship game for the 27th straight year, while ESPNU carried the women’s championship for the seventh year in a row. MSG has been the NEC’s flagship regional network for 15 years, and was joined by Root Pittsburgh, MASN and Comcast SportsNet New England in airing an assortment of hoops games last season. FCS simulcast all regional games on its growing national network. Success in the Classroom The NEC and its member institutions raised the bar once again with respect to the academic excellence displayed by the 4,000+ student-athletes who represented the Conference during the 2013-14 academic year. NEC student-athletes averaged a 3.16 GPA in 2013-14 and all ten of the league’s core member institutions finished the year with at least a 3.0 GPA. Over 1,800 student-athletes were named to the NEC Academic Honor Roll in 2013-14, and nearly 500 were tabbed to the Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll with GPAs of 3.75 or higher. Likewise, five NEC student-athletes were tabbed Capital One Academic All-Americans. Additionally, the NCAA honored 39 NEC teams with public recognition awards for exceptional academic performance with respect to their latest Academic Progress Rate scores. NEC institutions also ranked among the nation’s elite in Graduation Success Rate (GSR) figures released by the NCAA with 38 teams achieving a perfect 100 percent GSR in their respective sports and 40 percent earning a GSR of over 90 percent. Student-athletes at Robert Morris posted a 3.30 GPA to win the 2013-14 NEC Institutional Academic Award. Athletic Achievement There was no shortage of #NECPride during the 2013-14 season, a year that yielded 20 All-American selections, five Capital One Academic All-Americans, and 10 teams which earned national rankings in their respective sports. The NEC sent representatives to NCAA Championship events in 14 different team sports in 2013-14, highlighted by Bryant men’s lacrosse shocking Syracuse to advance to the NCAA quarterfinals. After winning its third straight NEC championship, Bryant knocked off MAAC champion Siena in the NCAA play-in game, setting the stage for one of the biggest victories in conference history in any sport. The Bulldogs went into the Carrier Dome to face national power and #2 seed Syracuse, and before a nationwide audience on ESPNU, stunned the Orange, 10-9, to advance. Along with Bryant, which ranked as high as 11th in the USILA poll, NEC newcomer Saint Joseph’s also earned a national ranking, reaching 19th in the same poll. The Hawks, in their first year as an associate member, won the NEC regular season title with a perfect 6-0 record. The 2014 season also marked the first for Hobart as an associate under the NEC men’s lacrosse banner. The on-field success of the Bryant men’s lacrosse team translated into individual recognition for two of its best. Two-time NEC Player of the Year Kevin Massa and 2014 NEC Defensive Player of the Year Gunnar Waldt were both named semifinalists for the Tewaaraton Award and tabbed USILA All-Americans. For the second straight year, Massa led the country in faceoff win percentage and faceoffs won. Talk about an amazing feat. Incredibly, every member of the 2014 NEC Women’s Bowling membership ranked among America’s Best in National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) polls that were released during the 2013-14 season. Fairleigh Dickinson (as high as No. 3), Kutztown (9th), Saint Francis U (10th), Sacred Heart (12th), St. Francis Brooklyn (13th), Adelphi (13th) and LIU Brooklyn (16th) all represented the NEC in the NTCA Top-20 this past season. FDU was one of eight teams to qualify for the NCAA women’s bowling championship, marking their 10th national appearance in 11 years.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving In men’s and women’s basketball, a combined five teams competed in the postseason, and the Robert Morris men’s basketball squad knocked off St. John’s in the Postseason NIT one year after stunning Kentucky in the same event. That wasn’t the only marquee win in NEC men’s hoops last season with St. Francis Brooklyn beating Miami, and Fairleigh Dickinson taking down Rutgers and Seton Hall in back-to-back games. Seeded fourth and competing on the road before a raucous, SRO crowd at the Sewall Center in Moon Township, Mount St. Mary’s won its fourth NEC men’s basketball championship with an 88-71 victory over top-seeded Robert Morris. Individually, LIU Brooklyn’s Jason Brickman led the nation in assists for the second straight year and became just the fourth player in NCAA history to finish with 1,000 career assists. Playing before a coast-to-coast audience on ESPNU, two-time NEC Player of the Year Artemis Spanou and Robert Morris completed their incredible turnaround in women’s basketball, winning the program’s fifth NEC championship on its home floor with a 78-64 win over Saint Francis U. Spanou led the nation in rebounding for the second consecutive year. Three of the nine NEC football players to earn All-American status came from NEC co-champion and FCS playoff qualifier Sacred Heart. Led by running back Keshaudas Spence, defensive tackle Troy Moore and defensive back J.D. Roussel, the Pioneers went from one win in 2012 to a 10-3 season in 2013, a year which ended with a close setback to Fordham in the FCS playoffs. For the second straight year, Robert Morris women’s lacrosse player Jessica Karwacki led the nation by a wide margin in draw controls, averaging 12.71 per game. She also broke her own single season NCAA record with 216 draw controls. Wagner’s Shea Gegan ranked first in the nation with 3.61 caused turnovers per game as Wagner went from an eighth place finish in 2013 to its first-ever title game this past season. The CCSU men’s cross country dynasty extended to five as the Blue Devils edged Saint Francis U for the NEC championship in Loretto, PA. Blue Devil senior Craig Hunt broke his own course record in winning the event and became the first NEC harrier since 2006 to qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championships. In perhaps the most dominant individual performance of the year in the conference, Bryant senior Elmear Black left the field in her wake in winning a second straight NEC women’s cross country individual title. She broke her own course record, crossing the tape in 17:46, over a minute ahead of her nearest competitor. Cementing her status as a future NEC Hall of Fame candidate, Saint Francis U senior forward Tesa McKibben won NEC Women’s Soccer Player of the Year honors for the fourth straight season. It marked the first time in NCAA history a player has earned Conference MVP honors in each of her four years. She also claimed an unprecedented fourth straight NEC Golden Boot honor and ranked first in the nation with 2.45 points per game. RMU’s Chris Carper finished fourth in the nation in the javelin at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was named a first team USTFCCCA All-American. For the second straight year, LIU Brooklyn sprinter Brendon Rodney was named a second team All-American after finishing 13th in the 200 meters at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. LIU teammate Mica-Jonathan Petit-Homme earned second team All-America honors following a 12th place finish in the 400 hurdles at the NCAA outdoor meet. It was three rounds of golf that LIU Brooklyn’s Marisol Doglioli will never forget. The sophomore established a new conference record, firing a six-under 210 (71-73-66) to win the NEC women’s golf individual title and help lead the Blackbirds to a three-peat. Her six-under 66 in the final round was also the lowest score in NEC championship history. An NEC record eight baseball players were taken in the 2014 MLB Draft, including three in the first eight rounds. Bryant hurler Kevin McAvoy went to the Red Sox in the fourth round, followed by LIU Brooklyn shortstop John Ziznewski (8th round, White Sox) and Sacred Heart pitcher Kody Kerski (8th, Mariners). In a remarkable feat, LIU Brooklyn’s Jenn Peters became the first student-athlete in league history to be named Rookie of the Year in multiple sports, claiming the honor in both women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving Sparked by a spring season that has netted the Bulldogs a remarkable six NEC championships, Bryant won its first Brenda Weare Commissioner’s Cup. The six titles were the most in a single season in NEC history and one shy of the calendar year mark shared by FDU (1991-92), UMBC (1999-00) and Monmouth (2006-07). The Bulldogs also captured the Men’s Cup for the first time. Saint Francis U claimed the Joan Martin Women’s Cup for the second straight year and third time in school history. The NEC Hall of Fame announced its fourth Hall of Fame class in January, 2014. The three-member group included Robert Morris men’s basketball player Myron Walker, Sacred Heart women’s basketball player Amanda Pape and legendary Robert Morris football coach Joe Walton. To wrap a year filled with #NECPride, former FDU soccer star Alejandro Bedoya competed for the USMNT over the summer at the 2014 World Cup. On Campus & In The Community The NEC welcomed the class of 2017 to campus last summer as part of its annual outreach program designed to raise awareness and develop the league’s growing fan base. Over 8,000 students across the Conference were provided with NEC-logo drawstring bags filled with promotional products and coupons donated by a number of the league’s corporate partners along with an informative NEC Fan Guide. The NEC, its member institutions and student-athletes have made community involvement an important piece of its mission. In 2013-14, the NEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) spent time at the Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation in Harrisburg, PA during its annual meeting. As part of the visit, SAAC leaders volunteered time to preparing care packages that went to children around the country. The SAAC also participated in a “Penny Wars” fundraiser for a fifth straight year that resulted in a significant donation to the Cancer Recovery Foundation. To assist in raising breast cancer awareness, NEC women’s volleyball teams supported “Dig Pink” and women’s basketball teams participated in the WBCA’s “Pink Zone” promotion. For the fourth straight year, Sacred Heart was awarded the NEC Building Communities award. The award recognizes the institution which demonstrates the highest dedication to making an impact in the community through the efforts of its student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Over the course of the 2013-14 academic year, Sacred Heart donated over 11,000 hours of community service. In total, Conference members logged nearly 28,000 hours of community service. Commitment to Sportsmanship The NEC continued its long-running participation in the NCAA’s Respect Campaign, an effort to promote an environment of respect and integrity at Conference events. The NEC Team Sportsmanship Award program recognized those teams and student-athletes who adhere to the principles of sportsmanship and pursue victory with honor. The NEC honored 22 teams for their commitment to sportsmanship during the 2013-14 academic year. Robert Morris and Sacred Heart took home four awards apiece. Since the NEC Team Sportsmanship program was instituted in 2008-09, Saint Francis U has won a conference-best 29 awards. The Red Flash led the NEC in team sportsmanship honors each year from 2008-13. What’s Next? In recent years, the NEC has taken aim at elevating the brand awareness of the league, improving the caliber of its championship events and enhancing the opportunities and experiences for student-athletes that compete in the Conference. The NEC has raised its commitment to basketball through a host of strategic initiatives, most notably via a Brand and Basketball Enhancement fund, revised scheduling parameters and the implementation of state-of-the-art LED signage at all arenas. The NEC has partnered with Daktronics to furnish each institution with additional LED signage for the 2014-15 season. The NEC will once again provide its members with a basketball marketing grant to help promote the sport at a grass-roots level and continue the upward growth in attendance since the grant’s inception during the 2011-12 academic year. The next evolution of NEC Front Row will come this fall. After providing broadcast quality HD equipment for each institution last summer, the NEC plans to upgrade to true HD streaming of NEC Front Row webcasts for the 2014-15 season. Bundled with the HD streaming will be DVR style controls to enhance the user experience. A new #NECPride365 campaign will launch this fall via the NEC’s social media channels, and new promos featuring the theme will air on NEC Front Row and the league’s television broadcasts throughout the year. The NEC will also relaunch its official website this fall with a new look to better connect fans to the Conference and their favorite teams.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Colin Shannahan Head Coach Fourth Season Columbia, 2002
The 2013-2014 Seahawk Swimming and Diving team continued to new levels of success and did so in dominant fashion, under the direction of 2014 NEC Coach of the Year Colin Shannahan. As a testament to his dedication to recruiting elite swimmers and divers, Shannahan continued to recruit stand-out student-athletes nationwide during his three years at the helm of the Seahawk team. A As announced in the fall of 2013, Shannahan helped produce a nationally recognized recruiting class that yielded the best finish in the program’s history. During this season, Shannahan led Wagner to the program’s first ever NEC conference championship. At this meet, Wagner set 16 school records, 3 conference records and won by the largest point differential in over 10 years. The Seahawks scored 844 team points in the championship tournament, the first team to break the 800 barrier since 2003 and only the fourth team since the first championship in 1999. Under his tutelage, Shannahan has elevated the NEC program to new heights, jumping one spot higher during each consecutive year in the NEC total points team finish. In regard to individual awards, Shannahan has earned several notable accomplishments. In his last three years at Wagner College, Shannahan earned Coach of the Year Honors twice. Furthermore, he has also has recruited studentathletes that earned back to back Rookie of the Year honors and NEC Swimmer of the Year honors. With the incredible success of the program, Coach Shannahan helped Wagner swimmer Anu Nihipali qualify for the 2014 Phillips 66 USA Swimming National Championships in Irvine, California. This milestone marked the first time in Wagner program history to have an athlete qualify for and compete in this prestigious meet. In his inaugural season from 2011-2012, the swimming and diving team earned a third place finish at the Northeast Conference Championships while breaking four school records in the process. The 2011-2012 Seahawks also earned Academic All American Honors, placing 5th out of all Division I Swimming and Diving programs. In the following season, Shannahan surpassed preseason expectations, culminating the season with a heart-pounding runner-up finish at the 2013 Northeast Conference Championship, narrowly missing the title by a mere 17.5 points. In this successful performance, Shannahan coached the young team to a powerhouse finish that accumulated a flurry of 13 new school records. The swimming and diving team continued to excel at academic dominance as well, maintaining the highest GPA in the Northeast Conference and out of all Wagner College athletic teams. This classroom success earned the Seahawks Academic All American Honors yet again, competing against hundreds of Division I Swimming and Diving Programs academically. Shannahan was no stranger to Division I swimming, having swam and coached at the Division I collegiate level for nearly fifteen years. Outside of his personal achievements as a four-year letter winner and two-time swimming and diving captain at Columbia University, Shannahan has made an impressive coaching resume that began at University of Rhode Island. He spent eight years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the Rams, leading them to success both in the Atlantic 10 Conference and on the national level. At The University of Rhode Island Shannahan recruited and trained a student-athlete who became the most decorated swimmer in Rhode Island history, qualifying for the first three NCAA “B” cuts in the program’s history. After accepting the position of Head Swimming and Diving Coach and Aquatic Director in June of 2011 with Wagner, Shannahan continued to make immediate impact on the already successful Seahawk program. Prior to his coaching experience, Shannahan was also a standout athlete. The Lincoln, RI native was a three-time all-state swimmer at Lincoln High School, where he won the 200 and 500 freestyle titles in both his junior and senior years. His record times stayed intact until they were broken in 2008. Following his high school success, Shannahan brought his talents to nearby Columbia University, where Shannahan was a four year letter-winner and two year team captain with the Lions. As a 2002 graduate, he held the school record in the 200 freestyle relay. As for his recent aquatic success, Shannahan has participated in several USA Masters swim meets, most recently with impressive top five finishes at the New England Championships in sprint freestyle and individual medley events.
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Sarah Tanner Assistant Coach Second Season North Carolina, 2012 Tanner was highly-accomplished student-athlete at the University of North Carolina from 2008-2012, and an assistant coach prior to joing Wagner at powerhouse St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, OH, as well as with the renowned Cincinnati Marlins Swim Team, enters her second season as assistant swimming coach on Grymes Hill. In addition to coaching she is also pursuing an MBA with a concentration in Finance. A resident of Loveland, OH, Tanner enjoyed an outstanding four-year career at North Carolina, where she was a four-time member of the Atlantic Coast Conference Honor Roll and served as a Tar Heel captain as a senior in 2011-2012. Known for her versatility, Tanner competed at a high level throughout her career in the freestyle sprints, butterfly, backstroke and the individual medley. Equally impressive in the classroom, Tanner was a seven-time member of the North Carolina Dean’s List while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History.
Meg Marco Diving Coach Third Season Penn State, 2011
Marco joined the Seahawks after a four-year career at Penn State as a member of the women’s swimming and diving program. While with the Nittany Lions, Marco was honored in both her junior and senior seasons with the Robert E. Galbraith Award for the single most outstanding performance during the diving season. In addition, she was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team in her sophomore, junior, and senior campaigns, and was given the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award as a senior. In 2013-2014, Marco oversaw a Diving team that helped win the NEC Swimming & Diving Championships in Boston, MA. In addition to her time as a student-athlete, Marco worked as a diving coach for multiple programs on Penn State’s campus. Following graduation, she worked as a marketing and promotions intern in Penn State’s athletic department. Marco is now a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, and will use her expertise to aid in the general enhancement and well-being of her student-athletes’ performances in and out of the pool. In her first two years on Grymes Hill she also earned her MBA.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving Michelle Greenough Senior - Sprint/Breast Hometown: Davis, CA High School: Davis Junior Season (2013-2014): Highest finish was against Bryant where she finished second in the 200 IM with a time of 2:14.20 ‌ Preformed the 200 Free Relay three times and saw her best finish at LIU Post where her relay team finished third with a time of 1:41.80 ‌ Competed in the 100 Breast, 200 Free, 200 Breast and the 500 Free. Sophomore Season (2012-2013): Dual athlete in water polo and swimming ... First season with the Seahawks in Swimming ... Finished 14th in the 500 Freestyle at NEC Championship at MIT with a time of 5:06.92 ... Seventh in the 100 Breaststroke with a time of 1:06.34 ... 5th in the 200 Breaststroke with a time of 2:22:31 ... Has the 2013 School Record of 1:06.34 for the 100 Breast stroke. Before Wagner: Competed in four years of Varsity high school swimming in California ... Received an award for Best Davis High School Female Swimmer and Water Polo Player her junior year ... Made it to multiple section championships finals throughout her High school career ... Named Academic All-American for swimming. Personal: Daughter of Craig and Valerie Greenough ... Has one younger brother, Ryan who is a college athlete in cross-country and track ... Majoring in Chemistry with minors in Biology and Math ... Hopes to attend graduate school for Engineering.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Mallory Lee
Senior - Diving Hometown: Newark, CA High School: Moreau Catholic
place with a score of 237.45
Junior Season (2013-2014): Performed in the 1-Meter Dive on five occasions and had her best performance versus Siena where she finished in first place with a score of 234.95 … Also performed in the 3-Meter five times and had her best performance versus Bryant where she finished in first
Sophomore Season (2012-2013): Earned NEC Diver of the Week accolades ... Placed second in both the one-meter and three-meter at NECs with scores of 225.6 and 244.1, respectively ... Awarded Most Valuable Diver. Freshman Season (2011-2012): Finished second in the three-meter at the Northeast Conference Championships … Set a school record in one-meter diving, scoring 223.50 to win the one-meter against Bryant (10/15) …Took the three-meter with a score of 175.95 … Won the one-meter at Rhode Island (1/21) with a score of 196.57, and the three-meter, posting a score of 170.02. Finished second in both the one-meter and three-meter in a quad meet at Iona (10/29), scoring 185.20 in the one-meter and 169.10 in the three-meter … Finished second in the one-meter and three-meter at Central Connecticut (1/28) ... NEC Diver of the Week five times ... Athlete of the Month in November 2011 and January 2012 ... Pole vaulted for the Wagner Track and Field team. Before Wagner: Spent three years on the Moreau Catholic diving team … Named a North Coast sectional qualifier all three years … Was a Hayward Area Athletics league (HAAL) champion in 2010 and 2011 … broke league records in 2011 with a score of 414 on an 11 dive … swam for the Mariner’s her freshman year before becoming her school’s first diver. Personal: Daughter of Brandon and Colleen Lee … Has two siblings, McKenzie and Morgan … sister, McKenzie, is on the rowing team at the University of Oklahoma … Majoring in English, Minoring in Spanish ... Is the Sports Editor for the Wagnerian.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Samantha Sides Senior - Sprint/Back Hometown: Cherry Hill, NJ High School: Cherry Hill East Junior Season (2013-2014): Swam in the 100 Free three times and had her best performance versus Iona/SFU/Sacred Heart where she came in third with a time of 55.84 … Finished third in the 100 Fly against LIU Post with a time of 59.61 … Swam in the 100 Back and the 50 Free. Sophomore Season (2012-2013): At NEC Championships, placed in top-16 in the 50 freestyle, the 100 freestyle ... and the 100 backstroke ... Member of record-breaking 200 Medley Relay squad. Freshman Season (2011-2012): First collegiate win was in the 50 freestyle in a quad meet against Iona, St. Francis (NY) and Sacred Heart (10/29), finishing in 25.32 … Part of a 400 freestyle relay team in a quad meet against Iona, St. Francis (NY) and Sacred Heart (10/29), winning in a time of 3:47.35 … Contributed to the 200 freestyle relay team that finished first at Rutgers (11/4), posting a time of 1:43.32 … Part of a 200 freestyle relay team that won at Columbia (1/3), finishing in a time of 1:42.28 … Part of the winning 200 freestyle relay team at Central Connecticut (1/28), finishing in a time of 1:40.04. Before Wagner: Earned four varsity letters with the Cherry Hill varsity swim team … has accumulated All-American, All-Conference, All-Olympic, All-South Jersey, and All-Courier Post awards during her four seasons … named the Cougar’s MVP all four years … team co-captain her senior season … took 10th place at the 2010 YMCA Nationals in the 50 freestyle … holds multiple records with the Willowdale Swim Club. Personal: Daughter of David and Laurene Sides … In the Nursing program.
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Morgan Stoner Senior - IM/Back
Hometown: Greensburg, PA High School: Hempfield Area Junior Season (2013-2014): Had her best performance in the 200 Backstroke where she finished in second with a time of 2:11.66 … Came in third place in the 500 Free against Iona/SFU/Sacred Heart with a time of 5:21.27 … Also swam in the 200 Free, 100 Backstroke, 200 IM and 400 IM. Sophomore Season (2012-2013): Scored in the top-16 in NEC Championships for the 200 breastroke, the 400 IM, and the 200 backstroke. Freshman Season (2011-2012): Won the 200 breaststroke at Mount St. Mary’s (10/22), posting a time of 2:52.84 … Finished first in the 200 IM in a quad meet against Iona, St. Francis (NY) and Sacred Heart (10/29), finishing in 2:16.13 … Captured the 200 IM at Rutgers (11/4), winning in 2:15.70 … Took the 200 IM at Columbia (1/3) in a time of 2:18.08. Before Wagner: Four-year letterwinner for Hempfield Area Senior ... Captain during senior season ... Qualified for States all four seasons ... Member of Alleghany Mountain Swimming Elite Group ... First female in history of her high school to qualify for all swimming events in the Pennsylvania WPIAL division. Personal: Daughter of Patrick and Vicki Stoner … has two brothers, Patrick and Tyler … major is undecided.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Erica Curry Junior - Diving
Hometown: Fountain Valley, CA High School: Fountain Valley
score of 239.15.
Sophomore Season (2013-2014): Performed the 1-Meter Dive five times and had her best performance versus Bryant with a total score of 218.55 to give her a second place finish … Also performed the 3-Meter Dive five times and had her best performance versus Siena where she had a total
Freshman Season (2012-2013): Captured four consecutive Northeast Conference Diver of the Week award in her first season with the Seahawks ... Only the second athlete to win the award four consecutive times since the award began ... Competing in her first collegiate dual meet she picked up her first win on the 3-meter board and second place on the 1-meter ... Followed with next meet with wins on both boards ... Highest score is 241.20 on 3-meter ... Finished fourth at NEC Championships. Before Wagner: Four-year letterwinner for Fountain Valley ... Qualified for CIF all four years ... MVP all four years ... Captain her senior season ... Qualified for AAU Nationals three years ... Sunset League Finalist for four years ... Brove her high school’s dive record with a score of 415 on an 11-dive meet ... All-American on one and three meter boards in 2012 ... Winner of Coronet for Outstanding Girls’ Athletics and Diver of the Year in Sunset League ... Competed with McCormick Dive team of Long Beach, CA since age of 11. Personal: Born in Long Beach, CA ... Daughter of David and Mary Curry ... Has one sister, Haley ... Majoring in Psychology.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Michele Detka Senior - IM/Back Junior - Fly/Sprint
High School: Verrado Before Wagner: Detka comes to the Seahawks after transferring from the University of Houston where she competed in three different events during the American Athletic Conference Championships ... Prior to her time with Houston she was a four year varsity swimmer at Verrado High School in ... Won the State Championship in the 200 and 400 free relays in 2011 … Won fourth place in the 100 yard fly at the State Championship … Holds the school record for the 100 butterfly … Won the Most Valuable Player award at her school … National Honor Society Member. Personal: Daughter of Andrzej and Malgorzata Detka … Majoring in biology.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Kendall Kulper Junior - Freestyle
Hometown: Gold River, CA High School: Rio Americano Before Wagner: A 2012 graduate of Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, CA participating in Swimming and Water Polo…Was First Team All-League, First Team All-Section as the Raiders were Sectional Champions 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11 under Head Coach Chris Nissen…Spent time in high school coaching American River Water Polo Youth league as well as volunteering with Special Olympics…Served as the Secretary of the high school Key Club. Personal: Daughter of Greg and Jill Kulper ... Has a younger brother, Kyle.
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Kara Lacoste Junior - Breast/Back/IM
Hometown: Chicopee, MA High School: Chicopee Comprehensive
and the 500 Free.
Sophomore Season (2013-2014): Had her best performance in the 200 IM versus Bryant where she finished in first place with a time of 2:12.93 … Finished second in her one time competing in the 400 IM at Rutgers with a time of 4:41.18 … Competed in the 100 Breast, 200 Backstroke, 200 Breast
Freshman Season (2012-2013): At CCSU Invite, finished second in the 200 IM, the 200 backstroke, the 200 breakstroke, and the 100 breakstroke ... At NEC Championships, finished third in the 200 IM with a time of 2:06.43, effectively setting new school record ... Finished fourth in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:02.13, re-breaking her own school record ... Finished fourth in the 200 breastroke, setting school record with a 2:21.72 ... Achieved personal bests at NEC Championships. Before Wagner: Swam for Chicopee Comprehensive High School in Chicopee, MA, under coach Dayle Cushing … State champion in 100 yard backstroke as a senior … Western Massachusetts champion in 100 yard breaststroke in senior year … Western Massachusetts champion in 200 IM as a freshman … Placed seventh in 200 yard backstroke at the 2011 YMCA Long Course Nationals with a time of 2:23.10, and 12th in the 100 yard backstroke at 1:06.89 … Lacoste’s team from the Greater Holyoke YMCA finished third overall.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Amanda Lucia
Junior- Fly/IM Hometown: Easthampton, MA Hometown: Easthampton, MA Sophomore Season (2013-2014): Competed in the 200 Medley Relay twice and had her best performance when her relay team finished in first versus Siena with a time of 1:52.80 … Performed six times in the 200 Fly and had her best met versus UVM where she finished first with a time of 2:06.1 … Swam in the 400 Meter Free one time but was able to finish first versus Mount Saint Mary’s with a time of 4:32.56 … Had her best performance in the 500 Free against Siena where she finished in first place with a time of 5:16.4 … Also swam in the 400 Medley Relay, 1000 Free and the 200 IM. Freshman Season (2013-2013): At CCSU Invite, placed first in three events: the 400 IM with a time of 4:24.76, the 100 fly with a time of 56.79, and the 200 fly with a time of 2:04.01 ... At NECs, earned Rookie of the Meet ... Earned Co-Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet ... Partook in the 200 Medley Relay Team that placed third with a time of 1:46.17 ... Placed first in the 400 IM with a time of 4:23.63 ... Placed second in the 200 fly with a time of 56.21 ... Partook in the 400 Medley Relay Team that placed fourth with a time of 3:53.50 ... Placed first in the 200 fly with a time of 2:02.38. Before Wagner: Four-year letterwinner at Easthampton (MA) High School … Western Mass recordholder in 100 fly … Won Western Mass and Division 1 State Championships in senior year … Also swam for the Greater Holyoke YMCA Vikings National Team … Junior National qualifier and US Winter Senior National qualifier in 200 fly … Placed in the top-10 in the 200 fly at YMCA Nationals in 2011 and 2012. Personal: Born in Northampton, MA … Daughter of Donna Link and Mark Lucia … Has one sibling, Tyler … Undecided on a major.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Erin Malone Sophomore - Fly/IM
Hometown: Sewell, NJ
High School: Washington Township Sophomore Season (2013-2014): Her best performance of the year was against Siena in the 200 Backstroke where she finished in first place with a time of 2:13.10 ‌ Swam in the 200 Fly six times and had her best performance versus LIU Post when she came in third with a time of 2:12.9 ‌ Also performed in the 200 Medley Relay, 100 Free and the 100 Fly. Freshman Season (2012-2013): Captured her first college victory in the 100-yard backstroke at UVM ... Took thirdplace in the 100-yard backstroke at Rutgers ... At NEC Championships, placed ninth in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 57.88 and the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:07.49 ... Placed 10th in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.50 ... Broke 100-yard backstroke record ... All NEC Championships times were personal bests Before Wagner: Swam at Washington Township (NJ) High School ... Gloucester County 1 Fly Champion ... Threetime state qualifier ... Team MVP ... Four-time YMCA National qualifier. Personal: Born in Princeton, NJ ... Daughter of Jeff and Patty Malone ... Has two brothers, William and Patrick, who both swim at Rowan University ... Majoring in Nursing with a minor in Spanish.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Meghan Mendez Junior - Back Hometown: Export, PA High School: PA Cyber
Sophomore Season (2013-2014): Broke the pool record for the 200 Medley Relay versus Frank Elm when the relay team came in first with a time of 1:47.15 … Swam in the 200 Backstroke and had her best performance versus UVM with a time of 2:16.49 … Also competed in the 100 Back and had her best performance versus Bryant with a time of 1:02.77. Freshman Season (2012-2013): At NEC Championships, member of 200 Medley Relay that came in third ... Member of the 400 Medley Relay that came in fourth ... Earned sixth place in the 100 backstroke ... Earned 10th place in the 200 backstroke ... School record-holder in the 100 backstroke with a time of 57.30 ... Member of school recording-holding 200 Medly Relay with a time of 2:07.43 ... Third Team All-NEC for the 200 Medley Relay. Before Wagner: Four-year letterwinner at PA Cyber in Midland, PA … Three-time All-American … Won the WPIAL 200 medley relay as a junior … Finished third in the 100 back at the WPIAL meet in her junior year … Placed third in the 200 medley relay at the PIAA meet in her junior year … Also swam for the JCC Sailfish. Personal: Born in Monroeville, PA … Daughter of Robin and Bill Mendez … Has two siblings, Samantha and Benjamin … Majoring in Government.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Kaitlin Murtha
Sophomore - Back/IM Hometown: New Fairfield, CT High School: New Fairfield Sophomore Season (2013-2014): Swam in the 100 Meter Back at Mount Saint Mary’s and finished second with a time of 1:10.26 ‌ Performed in the 200 Backstroke six times and had her best performance versus Bryant with a time of 2:11.78. Freshman Season (2012-2013): Earned first collegiate win at the Iona Invitational ... at NEC Championships, placed seventh in the 400 IM ... Placed 12th in the 100 backstroke ... Placed seventh in the 200 backstroke. Before Wagner: Competed for New Fairfield (CT) High School and the New Fairfield Aquaflyers club team ... All-State selection in 2010 and 2011. Personal: Native of New Fairfield, CT ... Daughter of Kathleen and Francis Murtha ... Has one sister, Kellie ... Majoring in Biopsychology.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Corinne Rondina
Junior - Sprint/Free Hometown: Staten Island, NY High School: Notre Dame Academy
Sophomore Season (2013-2014): Had her best performance in the 50 Free where she finished first with a time of 24.89 … Swam in the 100 Free six times and had her best performance against Bryant with a time of 54.82 … Also swam in the 200 Free, 200 Free Relay and the 400 Free Relay. Freshman Season (2012-2013): At NEC Championships, placed 13th in the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.30 ... Member of the school record-breaking 200 freestyle relay that placed fourth with a time of 1:35.33 ... Placed 20th in the 200 freestyle ... Placed 11th in the 100 freestyle ... Member of Dean’s List. Before Wagner: Four-year letterwinner at Notre Dame Academy in Staten Island, NY ... Undefeated in all four years of high school competition ... City champions all four years ... NYC Catholic Schools MVP and team MVP in 2010 and 2011 ... Three-time Staten Island Advance All-Star ... Team captain ... Also a one-year member of the golf team in high school. Personal: Born in Staten Island, NY ... Daughter of Rick and Michele Rondina ... Father played baseball at Suffolk Community College and West Virginia University ... Has three sisters, Megan, Christine, and Rebecca ... Undecided on a major.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Maggie Shaw
Junior - Distance Hometown: Chantilly, VA High School: Chantilly Sophomore Season (2013-2014): Swam in the 1000 Free two times and had her best performance versus Siena where she finished in third with a time of 10:53.59 … Also swam in the 1500 Meter Free versus Mount Saint Mary’s where she finished in third place with a time of 18:10.57 … Performed in the 200 Free and the 500 Free a combined eight times. Freshman Season (2012-2013): At NEC Championships, tied for 12th in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:54.75 ... Finished 10th in the 1650 with a time of 17:37.69 ... Finished 12th in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:06.92. Before Wagner: Four-year letterwinner for Chantilly High School ...Four-year state finalist ... Swam in USA Swim League for Dan Jacobs at Machine Aquatics ... Regional Sectional Meet qualifyer for four years ... Also swam for NVSL and the Greenbriar Swim Club. Personal: Born in Chantilly, VA ... Daughter of Susan and Scott ... Has two siblings, David and Allison ... Majoring in Biology.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Grace Baird Sophomore - Distance/Free Hometown: Lexington, NC High School: West Davidson
Meter Free and 200 Free.
Freshman Season (2013-2014): Competed in the 100 Free on five occasions and had her best performance at Rutgers where she took home first place in a time of 10:27.52 … Also won first place in the 500 Free at Rutgers where she completed the event in 5:10.02 … Competed in the 500 Meter Free, 400
Before Wagner: Four-year letterwinner for West Davidson High School … Helped the Green Dragons to three Conference Championships and one North Carolina (NC) State Championship … All-Conference Swimmer all four years at West Davidson High School … Three-time team MVP … Central Carolina Conference Swimmer of the Year for both the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons … Central Carolina Conference Champion in the 500 yard Freestyle for her Sophomore, Junior, and Senior seasons … Central Carolina Conference Champion in the 200 yard Freestyle during her Sophomore season … NC High School State Champion in the 500 yard Freestyle in her Junior and Senior seasons … Member of both the State Champion 200 yard Medley Relay and the 400 Freestyle Relay teams during the 2009-2010 season … USA Swimming Scholastic All-American … Honor Graduate with a 3.78 GPA. Personal: Born Margaret Grace Baird in High Point, NC … Daughter of Boyd and Suzanne … Has one sister, Kelly, who swims for Ohio State University, and one brother, Braxton, who attends the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics … Dual Major in Education and Psychology.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Katja Claesson
Sophomore - Sprint/Breast Hometown: Fullerton, CA High School: Troy
and 200 IM.
Freshman Season (2013-2014): Set the pool record versus LIU Post in the 100 Breast with a time of 1:07.25 … Her best time in the 100 Breast was at Rutgers with a time of 1:06.27 … Competed in the 200 Medley Relay seven times and was able to set another pool record in this event versus Frank Elm … Also competed in the 400 Medley Relay, 200 Breast
Before Wagner: Four-year letterwinner for Troy High School … During her tenure, helped the Warriors to four undefeated League Championship seasons as well as the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIF-SS) Division II Championship … Holds school and league records for the 100-yard Breaststroke, the 200-yard Medley Relay and the 400-yard Freestyle events … Earned National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) All-American for the 100-yard Breaststroke her Junior season … Four-time league champion in 100-yard Breaststroke event … League champion in the 200-yard Medley Relay … Swam her club career with FAST, where she is a multiple record-holder … Member of the National Honor Society … USA Swimming Scholastic All-American ... Earned AP Scholar with Distinction recognition ... A California Scholarship Federation Sealbearer and National Merit Commended Scholar … Named to Principal’s Honor Roll all four years of high school … In 2011, qualified for Swedish Junior Nationals in 50,100, 200 breast, spent summer in Sweden swimming and competing for a Swedish national team. Personal: Born in Orange, CA … Daughter of Peter Claesson and Sanh Pham … one sibling, Hana … Majoring in Biopsychology.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Anu Nihipali
Sophomore - Sprint/Back Hometown: Honolulu, HI
High School: Hawaii Preparatory Academy Freshman Season (2013-2014): Set the Wagner record for the 100 Back versus Rutgers when she finished in first place with a time of 55.87 … Swam in the 200 Backstroke two times and had her best performance versus UVM when she came in first place with a time of 2:06.66 … Performed in the 200 IM three times and had her best time (2:09.86) versus LIU Post with a first place finish … One appearance in the 100 Free finishing first with a time of 24.54 … Performed in the 200 Medley Relay and the 400 Medley Relay. Before Wagner: Three-year letterwinner at Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA) … Holds the record in the 100 yard backstroke event for the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) … Also won the state championship for the 100 yard backstroke event … Earned MVP honors her Junior and Senior seasons … Played water polo in her final two years at HPA … Voted both team captain and MVP for her Senior season. Personal: Born Bryee Ho’o-Mau Anuhea Nihipali in Honolulu, HI … Daughter of Paul Nihipali … Comes from a family of collegiate athletes: sisters Mounia and Crisi played volleyball, brother Stanley played football … Majoring in Business, Minoring in English.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Marisa Petrarca
Sophomore - Sprint/Free Hometown: Providence, RI High School: Johnston Senior Freshman Season (2013-2014): Swam in the 50 Free five times and had her best performance versus LIU Post with a time of 27.69 … Performed in the 100 Free three times and had her best time (1:01.45) versus Bryant. Before Wagner: Four-year member of the independent swim team she founded at Johnston Senior High School … Competed in State Finals in the 50 yard Freestyle, the 100 yard Freestyle, and the 100 yard Backstroke … Swam for the Cranston YMCA under Louis Arruda … Competed in State and National Competitions for Academic Decathlons … Member of the Jr. National Honor Society and the National Honor Society … Member of the All-State Band … Two-year letterwinner in Soccer, Hockey and Cheerleading … Captain of Track team her Freshman and Sophomore seasons … Captain of Cross Country team her Junior and Senior Seasons. Personal: Born in Providence, RI … Daughter of Jane Beth and Robert … Only child … Majoring in Biology.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Leahi Camacho
Freshman - Distance/Free Hometown: Kailua Kona, HI High School: Kealakene Before Wagner: Swam for Kealakehe High School under coach Steve Borowski … BIIF Champion in the 100 fly (2012) and the 500 free (2012 & 2013) … Holds her high school record with her teammates in the 200 medley relay, 200 free relay, and the 400 free relay … Her swimming team won the BIIF Championship in 2012 and 2013 … Also a member of the cross country team. Personal: Daughter of Shannon Wilson and Charles Camacho … Dual majoring in Business and Psychology.
Erin Finn
Freshman - Fly Hometown: Middletown, NJ High School: Middletown North
Before Wagner: Swam for Middletown High School North under coach Jack Caucino … Holds the school record in the 200 and 400 medley relay record … Was the team Captain her senior year … Won the Most Valuable Player and Coach’s Award at her high school. Personal: Daughter of Dons and John Finn … Has two younger brothers, Conor and Ryan … Majoring in nursing. football … Majoring in Business, Minoring in English.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Kristy Hessing
Freshman - Free Hometown: Bloomington, IL High School: Normal Community
Achievement Award.
Before Wagner: Swam for Normal Community under coach Heather Budak … Won the Big 12 Conference Championship all four years in high school … Holds the school record for the 200 Medley Relay and the 400 Freestyle Relay … ISHA State Qualifier in her last three years of high school … Big 12 Conference Scholar Athlete from 2010-13 … Received the Illinois High School Association Scholar
Personal: Daughter of Maryse and Tim Hessing … Has one sister, Jamie … Undeclared major.
Sam Lavrich
Freshman - Diving Hometown: Audubon, PA High School: Methacton Before Wagner: Was on the dive team at Methacton High School under coach Chris O’Sullivan … Her team was undefeated in the Pac 10 Championship for three straight years … Holds the school record for the six and 11 dive lists … Placed 12th in the Pennsylvania State Championship her senior year … Made the Pac 10 all-star team three straight years. Personal: Daughter of Melissa and Joseph Lavrich … Has one brother, Nick … Undeclared major.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Maddie McNichol
Freshman - Free Hometown: Downingtown, PA High School: Henderson
Before Wagner: Swam for Henderson High School under coach Jeff Bott … Won the Chest-mont Championship in back-to-back years in which her team was undefeated … Received All-American honors her last three years in school … Was named to the All-District team all four years of high school … Team Captain during her senior year … Part of the National and Italian Honor Societies. Personal: Daughter if Nikkii and Luke McNichol … Has a sister, Kacie … Majoring in Business.
Maggie Slocomb
Freshman - IM/Back Hometown: Landenburg, PA High School: St. Marks
Before Wager: Slocomb joins the Wagner swimming and diving team after being named All-State four years in a row at St. Marks high school and was the state champion in the 200 IM for the Spartans.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving
Grace Solipaca
Freshman - Diving Hometown: Philadelphia, PA High School: Bishop Eustace Before Wagner: Was on the dive team for Bishop Eustace under coach Leigh Ann Larkins … Won First Team honors after her senior year … Placed ninth and 12th in her senior and junior years respectfully at the State Championship. Personal: Daughter of Alexander and Paula Solipaca … Has on brother, Alexander … Majoring in nursing.
Kristine Sullivan
Freshman - IM Hometown: Overland Park, KS High School: Notre Dame de Sion Before Wagner: Swam for Notre Dame de Sion under head coach Paul Winkeler … Holds school record in the 200 Free, the 200 IM the 100 free, 200 free relay and the 400 free relay … Placed third at the State Championships … Won her schools Most Valuable Player award in 2012 and 2013. Personal: Daughter of Jack and Anne Sullivan … Has one brother and one sister, Jack and Kate … Majoring in nursing.
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Wagner College Swimming & Diving 2013-2014 Results Date
Opponent
Location
Results
10/5/2013
LIU Post
Staten Island, NY
W 152-106
10/11/2013
Manhattan
New York, NY
Postponed
10/12/2013
UVM
Staten Island, NY
W 172-128
10/19/2013
Bryant
Staten Island, NY
W, 153-101
10/25/2013
Rutgers
Piscataway, NJ
L, 119-181
10/26/2013
Iona
New Rochelle, NY
W, 145-85
10/26/2013
St. Francis College (NY)
New Rochelle, NY
W,158-64
10/26/2013
Sacred Heart University
New Rochelle, NY
W,159-63
11/2/2013
Mount St. Mary’s
Emmitsburg, MD
W, 154-96
11/9/2013
Siena College
Loudonville, NY
W, 173-105
11/22-24/2013 Frank Elm Invitational Piscataway, NJ
4th out of 10
1/17/2014
NYU
Staten Island, NY
W, 169-129
1/18/2014
Rhode Island
Staten Island, NY
W, 167-133
1/21/2014
Manhattan
Bronx, NY
Postponed
2/1/2014
CCSU
Staten Island, NY
W, 176.5-142.5
2/19-22/2014
NEC Championships Boston, MA
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