Swimming closes with successful conference meet
February 24, 2006 - Meet Results / Photo Gallery

WOOSTER, Ohio—As the Blue Grass Mountain Conference continues to grow in size and competition, the Wesleyan swim teams continue to grow and swim faster along with it. “Its great to see this program match that intensity and swim to capacity,” remarked head coach Paul Mangen in reference to his program’s recent success at the BGMC/WVIAC Conference Championship meet at the Ellen Shapiro Natatorium in Wooster, Ohio.

Despite having just five members comprise the women’s team, this group of versatile and competitive swimmers came together to swim season-best times this past weekend, beating out rivals to end the season on a great note.

With the recruiting season coming full swing, the Lady Bobcats will look to grow in terms of both numbers and strength so they can build upon their current conference supremacy.

“Our women were excellent this weekend and our men also enjoyed the fruits of their labor,” stated Mangen. The fruits being 37 all-conference swims. Every member of the men’s teams earned all-conference honors, something almost unheard of.

Although the overall scores will indicate that the men placed third of the eight participating schools, they actually finished second only to Washington and Lee in the swimming standings. Transylvania, which the standings will show in second place, finished higher than the ‘Cats because they sponsor diving, a sport not held by the majority of conference schools.

The women’s seventh-place finish (out of 11 teams) combined with the men’s third-place finish gave Wesleyan an overall sixth-place (out of 12 teams) position in the final combined team scores.

“This men’s team is the most well rounded group we have had here in nearly a decade, and it’s looking even better for next fall. The Blue Grass Mountain Conference is adding three new men’s teams for next year and I believe we will be up for the challenge and put on a good show,” concluded Mangen.

The following is a listing of all the Bobcat swimmers that received an all-conference award this past weekend. All-conference selections are awarded to swimmers that placed in the top six of an individual event or in the top three of a relay.

2005-06 BGMC/WVIAC particpants: Asbury College (M&W), Catawba College (W), Fairmont State College (M&W), Johns Hopkins University (W), Limestone College (W), Pfeiffer College (W), Savannah College of A&D (M&W), Transylvania University (M&W), Washington and Lee University (M), Wheeling Jesuit University (M&W), and Wingate University (M&W).

The 2005 year closed on a very positive note for the West Virginia Wesleyan swimming program. The men’s team is currently ranked 18th on collegeswimming.com, two spots ahead of rival Fairmont State University. Although the Bobcats have shown remarkable tenacity in their racing ability, like I-79, the road to success is always under construction.

The ‘Cats took advantage of their Christmas break by embarking on a training trip to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. During the trip the team trained at the site of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. The main focus of the trip centered on building up base training without sacrificing the integrity of stroke mechanics.

“Much of my success as a collegiate swimmer stems from my experience as an ocean swimmer, so coach Nieder and I wanted to incorporate the positive benefits of beach and ocean training on our trip,” stated head coach Paul Mangen. “We participated in a one mile ocean swim race as well as several training sessions where the athletes were forced to maneuver and navigate in the dense salt water of the Atlantic Ocean,”

“In addition to the daily dose of long-course training, we took advantage of the surroundings,” Mangen continued. “The team participated in some competitive games of ultimate frisbee, football, and beach volleyball. All in all this years training trip provided the training and atmosphere necessary to rejuvenate the members of the West Virginia Wesleyan swimming program for the most important segment of the season.”

With two dual meets remaining in the 2005-2006 season, the ‘Cats are looking to hone in on their championship form. As the teams get closer to the conference championships, practices will be more race specific and a greater portion of time will be dedicated to the “perfect practice” in relation to technique. Both squads will have to rely on the collective efforts of each member of the team in hopes of a championship performance. This synergy is what will lead to Wesleyan’s success throughout the remainder of the season.

Individual Results:

Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3

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BUCKHANNON, W.Va.—West Virginia Wesleyan swimming is off to a great start in 2005 as the Bobcats have posted back-to-back dual meet victories to open the season. On Saturday both the men’s and women’s teams improved to 2-0 in dual meet action with wins over Wheeling Jesuit University. The women defeated the Cardinals 83-68 while the men won easily 145-44.

Wesleyan’s pool was packed with loud and enthusiastic fans when the ‘Cats hosted their conference rival.

The men posted some impressive victories from Ben Davisson (Clarksburg) and Dave Cruickshank (Aurora, Ontario). Davisson won the 200-yard fly while Cruickshank remained undefeated in the 100-yard free and the 400 IM, the decathlon of swimming.

Davisson’s counterpart Renee Marko (New Alexandria, Pa.) was also victorious in the women’s 200 fly.

Natalie Johnson (Jamestown, N.Y.) exemplified great versatility by winning the 400 IM, 200Wooster Invite Results (Dec. 1-3)-yard breaststroke, and posting the season’s fastest Lady Bobcat time in the 200-yard backstroke.

Sprint specialist Kyle Bain (Rocky Mount, N.C.) continues to show his ability in the conference sprint events. Bain should be a force to reckon with come championship time. Beau Krpicak (Fairmont) and Rob Doyle (Milford, Conn.) also posted victories with Kripcak winning the 200 backstroke and Doyle the 200 breaststroke.

“We may be enjoying some sizable victories thus far, but the first true test of the season is this Friday versus Fairmont State University,” commented head coach Paul Mangen. “If we do not swim fast and race well across the board, we will not win against this powerhouse, especially on the men’s side. I believe we will get up and race, just as we always do, but I will not sacrifice valuable training to win a dual meet. This program is a championship focused program and we will continue to set our sites on those goals.”

BUCKHANNON, W.Va.—West Virginia Wesleyan College men’s and women’s swim teams dominated Saint Vincent College (Pa.) in their home-opening meet on Saturday, October 29. The Bobcats swept all 22 events with the women winning 117-53 and the men 149-47.

Leading the way on the women’s side was sophomore Natalie Johnson (Jamestown, N.Y.). Johnson won all three of her individual events (200 IM, 100 BK, and 100 BR). Following close behind with two individual wins each were senior Melissa Masuga (Buckhannon) (200 Free and 100 Free) and sophomore Drew McCarron (Bridgewater, N.J.) (1000 Free and 500 Free).

On the men’s side junior Beau Krpicak (Fairmont) and freshman Dave Cruickshank (Aurora, Ontario) pulled out two individual wins each. Krpicak won the 200 Free and 100 Back while Cruickshank took home the 200 IM and 500 Free titles.

Wesleyan’s four relay teams also posted successful outings in the victory. Times posted in the men’s relay events rival those of powerhouse Fairmont State.

After a great start to the season Wesleyan swimmers look forward to their two biggest conference rivals in the year’s upcoming meets. The Bobcats will host Wheeling Jesuit on Nov. 12 and travel Fairmont State on Nov. 18.

By head coach Paul Mangen

BUCKHANNON, W.Va.—The atmosphere for the first annual Black vs. Orange Homecoming intra-squad meet was that of excitement and enthusiasm. With both teams evenly matched in terms of numbers and talent, the meet came down to which team wanted to win the most.

Since we have primarily been in a training phase the past two months, coach Nieder and myself were very impressed with how our swimmers have progressed up to this point in the swimming calendar.

Beau Krpicak (Fairmont), Ben Davisson (Clarksburg), Rob Doyle (Milford, Conn.), Patrick Kiessling (Mt. Pleasant, N.C.), and Kyle Bain (Rocky Mount, N.C.) all have impressive sprinting abilities and should be very competitive for us this season.

Doyle and Dave Cruickshank (Aurora Ontario) had the meet’s most exciting duel during the 200-yard individual medley. Cruickshank clocked in at 2:03.37 while Doyle finished at 2:03.38.

Senior butterfly specialists Donny Powell (Bridgeport) and Jason Foote (Santa Rosa, Calif.) are looking particularly strong in their specialty events. Their leadership will be called upon in some key dual meet situations this year.

Sophomores Joe Bruzda (Latrobe, Pa.) and James Fraser (Sterling, Va.) along with freshman Kyle Bush (Walnutport, Pa.) are looking to round up the field in the backstroke events. These three swimmers had some promising splits in the mixed and medley relays.

Using 50s as the longest relay event, sophomore distance specialist John Wade (Fairmont) saw minimal action because he is still recovering from a shoulder injury.

On the women’s side the lack of numbers will be made up with some versatile swimmers. Sophomore Natalie Johnson (Jamestown, N.Y.), who was not present for the Black vs. Orange meet, can swim all four disciplines at any distance.

Our three freshmen girls: Renee Marko (New Alexandria, Pa.); Amanda Yeager (Pottstown, Pa.); and Laura Hoopengardner (Bethesda, Md.) finished first, second, and third in the 200-yard individual medley. These ladies continue to show great depth and versatility across the board.

Senior captain Tracy Alt (Parkersburg) is almost in championship form at this point in her final season. Fellow senior Melissa Masuga (Buckhannon) is starting to get back to form with her sprint events and butterfly as well.

Drew McCarron (Birdgewater, N.J.), normally a distance specialist, showed good speed at the meet and we hope that her distance events will benefit from this increased velocity.

The Wesleyan swim team will be in action this Saturday, October 29, when they host St. Vincent at 1:00 p.m.

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2005-06 Season Outlook
September 12, 2005 - Outdoor Training Photo Gallery

Anxious for this season to begin would be an understatement. This group of young athletes is talented, motivated, and very cohesive. The depth that these swimmers offer will provide for a very exciting duel meet season as well as a thrilling conference championiship.

Wesleyan's schedule has some familiar rivals in Wheeling Jesuit and Fairmont State, but the team also has some new meets at West Virginia University and the Wooster Invitational. Head Coach Paul Mangen believes these new meets will allow the program to expand its competition endeavors.

The enthusiasm that the Bobcats' freshman class possesses will compliment the leadership of the upperclassmen to create a highly intensive practice environment.

"Coach Nieder and myself will be challenged on a daily basis to test the limits of this group's potential in developing a nationally recognized program," Mangen said.

The Bobcats' season opens at the WVU Relay Meet on October 15 at West Virginia University. Meet time is still to be determined.