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2004-05 Women's Swimming Preview

The 2004-05 Bloomsburg University Women's Swim team is beginning to make a splash having started their pre-season practice with an optimistic attitude. There is no doubt that Bloomsburg's 2004-05 team is much younger, but may have more talent than last year's squad.

Dave Rider, head coach of Bloomsburg University women's swim team, is looking forward to another great season. “We had a good year last year, but were a slightly stronger team this year.” Rider said.

Last year the women finished 7-1 and placed fifth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). This year Rider isn't sure where the Huskies will stand, but is confident they will have a good year. “Our biggest competitors will be Shippensburg, IUP, and Kutztown,” he said.

Even though the team lost six seniors, there is going to be strong leadership from the two new captains, senior Becky Kadingo, and junior Erin Carey.

Kadingo, the Huskies top distance freestyle swimmer, looks to improve at the PSAC Championships. She was a vital piece to Bloomsburg's success at the 2003 PSAC Championships, placing in three freestyle events.

Carey is also looking forward to a breakthrough season in the individual medley events. She claimed three top ten finishes at last year's conference championships.

Rider is also counting on senior Emily Varley to provide leadership. One of Bloomsburg's top freestyle swimmers, Varley looks to produce sprint races as well as fly events.

In addition to Carey, the team has three juniors returning, Kristin Harrison, Ashley Koch, Kari Pokrzywa. Harrison looks to add depth in freestyle events while Koch, one of the Huskies top backstroke swimmers, looks to improve on her 13th place finish in the 200-backstroke at the PSAC Championships. Pokrzywa, one of Bloomsburg's most versatile swimmers, will again look to lead the Huskies in the backstroke and butterfly events.

The team is clearly dominated by youth with seven sophomores and seven incoming freshman.

Ashley Yelinek, a sophomore, is a young swimmer to keep an eye on. A PSAC Swimmer of the Week for her efforts last season, Yelinek looks to continue to develop as Bloomsburg's top freestyle swimmer.

Lauren Sterkenberg is looking to better her 12th place finish at the conference championships in the 200-butterfly while fellow sophomore Sara Lengler steadily improves in backstroke. Laura Jeffers, another backstroke swimmer for the Huskies, looks to again contribute.

Rounding out the sophomores for Bloomsburg, are Stephanie Boccuti and Courtney Dean. Both Boccuti and Dean will look to add depth in freestyle events for the Huskies.

Seven freshmen may determine the outcome of this year's team. Coach Rider agrees. “The freshmen are certainly going to make a difference.”

Included in the mix are Jackie Gribbin, Jessica Gribbin, Ashley Kroh, Dianna Smith, and Taren Wagner who look to swim sprint freestyle events for the Huskies. Courtney Novotnak will swim distance freestyle events for Bloomsburg as well as butterfly events. Kristina Slabonik and Wagner will also swim butterfly events for the Huskies. Jessica Gribbin will also swim backstroke events while Ashley Kroh will contribute in the breaststroke.

Coach Rider feels confident that his team is full of talent. “The strength of our team is the overall depth,” he said. “We have so much depth that if we lose one event we should still be able to beat teams.”

Rider and his Huskies are anxious for their season to begin. Bloomsburg's first test will be at the Clarion Invitational on October 23rd. He feels that if they compete as well as they practice they're in for another great season.