SALISBURY SWIMMERS HAVE HIGH HOPES 
FOR 2000-01 SEASON

Dual Meet Schedule Begins This Saturday, October 28

SALISBURY, MD – The Salisbury swim teams host their first dual meet of the season Saturday with high hopes following a successful 1999-00 campaign. The SU women posted their best-ever conference showing last year, placing third in the season-ending Capital Athletic Conference Championship Meet, while the men placed fourth.  The two teams combined for 22 new school records during the season, with many of the record setters back this year.

The two Sea Gull squads provided a sneak peek at this season’s potential with strong showings in last weekend’s CAC Relays in Arlington, VA. In the six-team event, the Salisbury women placed first, while the men placed third.

 “It appears that this is the strongest women’s team we’ve had,” said Head Coach Jill Stephenson, in her sixth season at SU.  “The men’s team also looks very strong and I am expecting an excellent season.”

“We have some really good competition this year,” said Stephenson.  “For both squads, we are shooting for third in our conference, possibly second for the women.  Mary Washington and Catholic always have exceptional teams that are very hard to beat.”

Seniors Alison Calcaterra and Rebecca Mitchell, school record holder in eight events, are expected to lead the women’s squad.  Other top returnees include senior Cineva Kline (backstroke, IM) and junior Jessie Hobson (distance freestyle).  Solid newcomers include junior Roxanne Hendershot (freestyle) and sophomore Caris Richmond (butterfly).

Junior Brendan Roddy, conference champion two years running in the 1650 freestyle, and senior Scott DeJesus (backstroke), lead the men’s team.  Roddy will be one of the team’s top candidates to meet national qualifying standards.

Other top returnees include senior Steve Muller (IM), sophomore Bobby Klaslo (butterfly), and sophomore J.J. Laskiewicz (breaststroke).  Freshman newcomers Renzo Ballesteros (breaststroke) and Ben Davis (freestyle) will also make contributions.  The Sea Gulls host Mary Washington in Saturday’s dual meet at the Maggs Pool (1 p.m.)