2008 season preview

January 31, 2008

NORTON, MA- Returning less than half of the previous year's roster with new leadership at the helm of a program is a formula than can equate to a tough transitional period, but not so with the 2008 Wheaton College synchronized swimming team, as first-year head coach Rebecca Story and her seven-member squad couldn't be happier with how quickly things have fallen into place.

"I can't say enough great things about this team," said Story, who is a former four-year swimmer and assistant coach for Wheaton rival Keuka College. "Working here is definitely what I feel I should be doing. With the team, I expected it to be much harder a transition given the circumstances. The women have made it so easy for me to transition into the team. Our chemistry works really well together."

Despite the small squad size, Story is encouraged by the progress, noting that Wheaton is farther ahead of schedule than some of the teams with which she swam or coached. "One of the best things I've found is their eagerness in wanting to go to the next level," added Story, who is joined by first-year assistant coach and former four-year Lyon Renata Paglio '07. "That surpasses what I expected and what I saw early on. They are beginning to see where that next level is, and they want to do the extra work and put in the extra time to achieve that goal."

Not pinpointing this year's goals toward overall meet scoring due to Wheaton's modest size, it wouldn't be realistic to expect results similar to 2007. Placing eighth as host of last year's U.S. Collegiate Championship, Wheaton takes aim at its 20th straight top-10 finish this March, a streak that started in 1989. The Lyons finished no worse than third during their five other scored meets, including winning the New England Figure Meet and Wheaton Invitational. The squad placed second at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship.

Story's vision is to move the program into the middle ground between the Division I and II institutions and Division III and NAIA squads, but indicating that will take some time, she accepts the fact this year will be a rebuilding one. With that being said, the team routine is this year's focus. Next season, with the addition of Story's first recruiting class, the Lyons should be able to add another routine.

In the meantime, if Story's early excitement is a sign of things to come the team should find success this season. A strength Story attributes to this year's Lyons is team diversity, as the swimmers hail from five different U.S. states and Puerto Rico. "Because they come from different teams, their choreography is typically different, so they try using that to their benefit," said Story.

Leading the 2008 group is lone senior Megan Kinney (Los Angeles, CA/Marlborough School) and sophomore Jenna Swinkin (Hamden, CT/Hamden), as Kinney assumes the captain's role for the third consecutive year, while Swinkin is in her first campaign.

"All of our swimmers are leaders in their own respect," said Story. "They don't mind stepping up and doing the things they need to do. There are six of them in the water and it's synchronized swimming - you can't hide."

Junior Sylvia Syracuse (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore West) and sophomore Laura Montes (San Juan, PR/Academia San Jose) round out the returning corps, while freshmen Sarah Bertrand (Derry, NH/Pinkerton Academy), Jenna Calvino (Merrimack, NH/Merrimack) and Sonvje Ryen (Bozeman, MT/Manhattan Christian) complete the team.

Montes, who had the opportunity to return to her native land during a team trip to Puerto Rico earlier this month, is Wheaton's top swimmer. Having represented the team during last year's U.S. National Championship, where she finished 18th in the solo competition, Montes will again serve as the Lyons' soloist in addition to competing on team, trio and A elements.

Kinney is a member of the six-swimmer team competition and will compete in the B figures category. She won the C figures national championship her freshman year. Swinkin and Syracuse form Wheaton's duet and will swim as a part of the team routine and B figures. Swinkin, who will also swim trio, finished a mere 0.0006 points shy of first place during the C category at last year's collegiate championship.

Ryen completes the Blue and White trio and is Wheaton's lone representative in the C figures category. She and Calvino comprise the remainder of the team routine, while Bertrand and Calvino are slated to take part in D figures.

Wheaton opens its season Saturday at Division I Canisius College, where the Lyons will also see Story's former team for the first time. The team hosts the Wheaton Invitational on February 9 and Canisius two weeks later. This year's collegiate championship is held on March 26-29 at The Ohio State University.

With five of the seven swimmers holding underclassmen status, Story is placing a major emphasis on team unity as the season draws closer. "I want to make sure everyone is on the same page with matching goals," she stated. "It hasn't been too difficult so far, but ensuring they're always working to that next level is going to be a challenge. Once the meets start up, everyone needs to be pushing just as hard as they were on day one."

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 2/1/08.
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News Headlines.

Wheaton runs top-10 streak at Collegiate Championship to 20 years (more)

Two figures wins propel Wheaton to third at ECAC Championship (more)

Lyons place third among seven teams at East Collegiate Regional (more)

Upcoming Schedule

7-Dec Sat New England Figure Meet H TBA
9-Jan Fri Puerto Rico Routines A TBA
12-Jan Mon Puerto Rico Figures A TBA