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Editor’s Note: The following is an event-by-event recap of the 2006-07 America East Swimming and Diving Championships, held last weekend.
Men’s Diving
Top Performers: Keith Burgie, Isaac Forbes
Recap: As needed, both Burgie and Forbes came up big on the weekend for the Black Bears. Forbes placed fifth in the 1-meter competition, while Burgie placed seventh. In the 3-meter dive, Burgie and Forbes placed back to back at sixth and seventh, respectively. Both divers will return for UMaine next season, which should please diving coach Jared Lizzotte.
Women’s Diving
Top Performer: Shannon Scott
Recap: Scott earned the eighth-place medal in the 1-meter competition. A senior, Scott went out with a bang in her final America East Championship competition, placing the highest she has ever placed during her time as a Black Bear.
Men’s Freestyle
Top Performers: Cully Wakelin (50-yard, 100-yard, 200-yard), Kevin Staples (200-yard), John Quinn (200-yard), Jamie Young (500-yard, mile), Brendan Amy (500-yard, mile)
Recap: Wakelin certainly led UMaine in the men’s freestyle events with an eighth-place 50-yard finish, and placing ninth in both the 100-yard and 200-yard events. The freshman from Biddeford will be looked upon to lead the Black Bears for the next few years. In the distance events, UMaine placed four swimmers in the consolation finals of the mile race. Amy and Young, a sophomore and freshman, should return as the long distance specialists for UMaine next season.
Women’s Freestyle
Top Performers: Jessie Alcaide (50-yard, 100-yard), Colleen Miller (200-yard, 500-yard, mile), Mimi Chovanec (mile), Megan Wolters (500-yard), Kari Boffa (100-yard, 200-yard), Sarah Holmsten (mile), Heather Griffin (100-yard)
Recap: Between Alcaide and Miller, the duo brought in five top five finishes. Alcaide finishing second and third in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle, Miller grabbing a third place finish in the 200-yard and mile events, while placing fourth in the 200-yard freestyle. Megan Wolters added a ninth place finish in the 500-yard freestyle for UMaine.
Men’s Backstroke:
Top Performers: Mike Goede (100 yard), Tyler Isherwood (100 yard, 200 yard)
Recap: Isherwood, a sophomore from Holden, stepped up for the Black Bears in a big way. In an event where the men’s team lacks depth, Isherwood went out and grabbed an 11th place finish in the 100-yard event and placed 10th in the 200 yard backstroke. Junior Mike Goede placed 13th in the 100.
Women’s Backstroke
Top Performers: Tal Shpaizer (200-yard), Megan Wolters, Courtney Healey, Jessie Alcaide (100-yard)
Recap: Shpaizer and Wolters finished third and fourth respectively in the 200-yard backstroke, proving to be the conference’s top duo. Sophomore Healey contributed with two 11th place finishes, in both the 100- and 200-yard events. Next season Healey will likely be counted on to step up as the top backstroker, as Shpaizer and Wolters both graduate this May.
Men’s Breaststroke
Top Performers: Nathan Richard, Chris Card, Eric Palmer (200 yard)
Recap: Richard and Card posted back to back third- and fourth-place finishes respectively, officially making them the top one-two punch in Maine swimming history. Palmer also chipped in with an eighth place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke. Unfortunately for UMaine, Richard will be the lone breaststroke star for Maine next year, as Card and Palmer were seniors this season.
Women’s Breaststroke
Top Performers: Meag Fisher, Megan McLean, Candace Coville (200 yard)
Recap: Both Fisher and McLean, freshmen, had great performances for the Black Bears in the breaststroke. In the 100-yard event, Fisher finished eighth and McLean ninth, while in the 200-yard event, Fisher finished seventh and McLean 11th. Fisher, McLean and Coville all offer tremendous potential for the future of the women’s swim team.
Men’s IM
Top Performers: Nathan Richard (200-yard), Eric Palmer
Recap: Richard led UMaine with a fifth place finish in the 200-yard IM, while Palmer finished fourteenth and fifteenth in the 400- and 200-yard events. Brock Libby also scored points for UMaine, placing sixteenth in the 400-yard IM.
Women’s IM
Top Performers: Tal Shpaizer (200-yard), Meag Fisher (400-yard), Kiki O’Donnell (400-yard), Mackenzie Grobmyer
Recap: The Women continued to place well in the 400-yard IM, as Fisher placed eighth, Grobmyer ninth, O’Donnell 12th and Sarah Holmsten 15th. With the top-8 finish, Fisher, hailing from Carmel, Indiana, helped solidify herself as a top performer in the America East and as a swimmer to watch for the next few years. Grobmyer will also be a key returned for UMaine next season as she placed in both the 200- and 400-yard events.
Men’s Butterfly
Top Performers: Doug Moulton (100-yard), Brian Smith (200-yard), Brock Libby (200-yard)
Recap: Although this event is the weakest event for the men, these three swimmers deserve some recognition for placing in a tough event. Moulton placed 16th for the 100-yard event, while Smith and Libby placed 14th and 15th respectively.
Women’s Butterfly
Top Performers: Tal Shpaizer (100-yard), Adi Levy, Mackenzie Grobmyer (200-yard)
Recap: Levy led the UMaine in the butterfly event with a sixth place finish in the 200-yard event, while 12th in the 100-yard event. Grobmyer also added to her IM performances with a solid 10th place finish in the 200-yard butterfly.
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