Western New England College
Women's Swimming News

Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002
WNEC at GNAC Championship (Simmons College, Boston) (2nd/4)

GOLDEN BEARS TAKE SECOND AT GNAC CHAMPIONSHIP

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College placed second (for the second straight year) at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Swimming Championship that was won by host Simmons College on December 7.

Senior co-captain Suzanne Monahan (Madison, NJ) won the 200-yard freestyle (2:09.15) and was third in the 500 freestyle (5:47.43).

Sophomore Kelli Arsenault (Branford, CT) won the 200 backstroke (2:22.96).

Junior Elena Massa (Easthampton, MA) was second in the 50 freestyle (26.31) and fourth in the 200 breaststroke (2:48.79).

Freshman Kelly Danielsen (Southbury, CT) was second in the 50 butterfly (30.72) and third in the 100 freestyle (1:01.22).

Freshman Kathryn Meade (Chicopee, MA) was second in the 500 freestyle (5:47.40).

Sophomore Jennifer McCormick (Cheshire, CT) was third in the 100 butterfly (1:08.41), third in the 200 breaststroke (2:48.46), and third in the 400 individual medley (5:22.07).

Sophomore Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) was fourth in the 400 individual medley (5:32.49) and fifth in the 200 backstroke (2:34.60).

Sophomore Kelly Doherty (Poughkeepsie, NY) was fourth in the 50 backstroke (35.11).

Senior co-captain Kelly Mangan (Waterbury, CT) was sixth in the 100 freestyle (1:08.28).

Freshman Karen McCauley (Middletown, CT) was sixth in the 200 backstroke (2:44.58).

Junior Krystal Homon (South Royalston, MA) was sixth in the 50 backstroke (43.23).

WNEC's 200 medley relay team of Arsenault, Massa, McCormick, and Meade placed second (2:01.91).

WNEC's 400 freestyle relay squad of Massa, Monahan, Arsenault, and Meade took second (4:07.46).

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002
Westfield State 143, WNEC 119

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 4, 2002) — Sophomore Kelli Arsenault (Branford, CT) won both the 50-yard backstroke (30.33) and 100 backstroke (1:05.31) events in a 143-119 loss against visiting Westfield State College. Freshman Kathyrn Meade (Chicopee, MA) placed first in the 1000 freestyle (12:12.62) for the Golden Bears who are now 3-2 on the season.

SENIOR SUZANNE MONAHAN SELECTED AS THE WNEC FEMALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 26, 2002) — Swimming co-captain Suzanne Monahan (Madison, NJ) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Monahan, a senior, established a pair of school records in two meets last week. She won the 1650-yard freestyle event (19 minutes, 58.79 seconds) in a victory over WPI and took first in the 1000 freestyle (11:55.18) in a win over Gordon College. Monahan is a communications major.

Saturday, Nov. 23, 2002
WNEC 142, WPI 116

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 23, 2002) — Western New England College's women's swimming team established five school records in a 142-116 win over visiting WPI.

Junior Elena Massa (Easthampton, MA) set new marks in the 50-yard freestyle (25.97 seconds) and 200 breaststroke (2:44.41).

Massa also swam the first leg on the 400 freestyle relay squad that took first in 4:00.31. Other members of that squad were freshman Kelly Danielsen (Southbury, CT), sophomore Kelli Arsenault (Branford, CT), and freshman Kathryn Meade (Chicopee, MA).

Other school records were set by senior co-captain Suzanne Monahan (Madison, NJ) in the 1650 freestyle (19:58.79) and sophomore Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) in the 200 butterfly (2:33.11).

WNEC now has a 3-1 recorder under first-year coach Andrea Daley.

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002
WNEC 142, Gordon 98

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 23, 2002) — Senior co-captain Suzanne Monahan (Madison, NJ) and junior Elena Massa (Easthampton, MA) came through with record-breaking performances as Western New England College posted a 142-98 victory over visiting Gordon College.

Monahan won the 1000-yard freestyle in a school record time of 11 minutes, 55.18 seconds while Massa set a school mark after capturing the 100 breaststroke in 1:15.11.

WNEC also received a fine performance from sophomore Kelli Arsenault (Branford, CT) who was first in the 200 freestyle (2:09.33) and freshman Kathryn Meade (Chicopee, MA) who was first in the 100 freestyle (59.69). Sophomore Jennifer McCormick (Cheshire, CT) came within a second of breaking the 400 individual medley record with her winning time of 5:24.87.

Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002
Bridgewater State 165, WNEC 101

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (Nov. 23, 2002) — Bridgewater State College handed visiting Western New England College its first loss of the season after taking a 165-101 decision.

Saturday, Oct. 26, 2002
WNEC 132, Simmons 125

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 23, 2002) — Andrea Daley made a successful head coaching debut as Western New England College defeated visiting Simmons College, 132-125, in its season opener.

Sophomore Kelli Arsenault (Branford, CT) captured the 200-yard freestyle (2:11.28) and 100 backstroke (1:05.85) events for the Golden Bears.

Arsenault also swam the third leg on the 200 freestyle relay team that set a new school record (1:49.53). The other members of that squad were junior Elena Massa (Easthampton, MA), senior co-captain Kelly Mangan (Waterbury, CT), and freshman Kathryn Meade (Chicopee, MA).

GOLDEN BEARS OPEN SEASON OCT. 26 AT HOME WITH SIMMONS COLLEGE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 22, 2002) — Western New England College's women's swimming team opens its season at 1 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 26) against Simmons College in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

First-year coach Andrea Daley has several key returning performers led by senior co-captain Suzanne Monahan (Madison, NJ) in the distance freestyle, junior Elena Massa (Easthampton, MA) in the freestyle, and sophomores Kelli Arsenault (Branford, CT) in the backstroke and freestyle, and Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) in the backstroke and butterfly.

Arsenault won gold medals in the 50 and 200 backstroke events at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship.

Two freshmen to watch are Kelly Danielson (Southbury, CT) and Kathryn Meade (Chicopee, MA) in the freestyle events.

"Our program has come a long way in the past few years, thanks primarily to the efforts of former coach Ben Bump," said Daley who was a standout performer at Springfield College.

"We are striving to improve our won-lost record and standing at the New England Championship and both are within our reach this year. Every athlete on this team plays an essential role Ð each member is a vital part to making this squad a success."

WNEC posted a 7-7 record last year, placed second at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship, and finished 11th among 18 schools at the New Englands.

ANDREA DALEY NAMED HEAD COACH
OF WOMEN'S SWIMMING PROGRAM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 13, 2002) — After serving as an assistant coach for the last three years, Andrea Daley will take over as the head coach of the women's swimming program at Western New England College starting on September 1, 2002.

She replaces Ben Bump who stepped down from the position this past spring after four years as head coach.

Daley, a 1998 graduate of Springfield College, previously coached swimming at the high school and age group levels.

A former member of the SC women's swimming team, Daley is an active member of the Masters Swim squad. She recently competed in meets in Hawaii and Ohio.

BEN BUMP STEPS DOWN AS GOLDEN BEARS COACH

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 26, 2002) — Ben Bump has resigned as the Western New England College women's swimming coach in order to pursue other job opportunities.

Bump coached the Golden Bears for four seasons and played an important role in developing a competitive and respected program.

This past season WNEC posted a 7-7 record and placed second in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship.

The College is currently conducting a search for a new coach.

WNEC Winter Sports Banquet Saturday, April 6, 2002

Women's Swimming Award Recipients
Most Valuable Swimmer – Freshman Kelli Arsenault (Branford, CT)
Most Versatile Swimmer – Freshman Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH)
Coaches' Award – Sophomore Elena Massa (Easthampton, MA)

Eastern Connecticut 122, WNEC 83 (Feb. 6)

FRESHMAN MICHELLE BOSS SELECTED AS THE WNEC FEMALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 5, 2002) — Freshman swimming sensation Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) was honored Tuesday (Feb. 5) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Boss was a triple winner (100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, 200 individual medley) in a 130-101 win over Salem State College on February 2. With Boss among the team's top point scorers, the Golden Bears have won five straight meets to improve their record to 5-6.

WNEC 131, Salem State 101 (Feb. 2)

GOLDEN BEARS DEFEAT SAINT JOSEPH (CONN.) FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN

HARTFORD, Conn. (Jan. 23, 2002) — Western New England College captured its fourth straight meet with a convincing 135-107 win over host Saint Joseph College (Conn.).

Freshman Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) led the Golden Bears by winning two events with school record performances. She took first in the 200-yard butterfly (2 minutes, 38 seconds) and 400 individual medley (5 minutes, 26.70 seconds).

WNEC (4-6) hosts Western Connecticut at 7 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 30.

JUNIOR SUZANNE MONAHAN NAMED THE WNEC FEMALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 23, 2002) — Junior swimming standout Suzanne Monahan (Madison, NJ — Madison High School) was honored Tuesday (Jan. 22) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

In a double dual meet last Saturday (Jan. 19) against host Elms College and Wheelock College, Monahan was a double winner in the 100-meter individual medley and 400-meter freestyle events. She established a school record in the 400 freestyle (5 minutes, 18.23 seconds) by an incredible 51 seconds. Monahan is a communications major. Western New England College visits Saint Joseph College (Conn.) on Wednesday (Jan. 23).

WNEC WINS TRI-MEET AGAINST HOST ELMS AND WHEELOCK

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Jan. 19, 2002) — At Elms College's Maguire Center pool, Western New England College overcame an early deficit and defeated Elms by the score of 69-53. WNEC also posted a 94-28 win over Wheelock College.

In the meet against Elms, WNEC placed first in nine of 14 events. Kelli Arsenault, Michelle Boss, Elena Massa, and Suzanne Monahan each won two events.

Against Wheelock, WNEC won every event except one. In addtiion to the above swimmers, Kelly Mangan, Megan Melch, and Erin Remillard each won an event.

Western New England doesn't often swim in short course meters, but does keep school records by that standard. Today, eight new metric school records were established.

WNEC has won its last three duals meets to improve its record to 3-6.

WNEC OPENS SEASON WITH SECOND PLACE FINISH AT SAINT JOSEPH (CONN.) INVITATIONAL RELAYS

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (Oct. 27, 2001) — Western New England College opened its 2001-02 season with a fine second place performance among five schools at the Saint joseph College (Conn.) Invitational Relays.

Eastern Conencticut State University won the final event to take top honors with 110 points. WNEC was second (106) follwed by Saint Joseph (Conn.) 82, Western Connecticut 54, and Wheelock 48.

The Golden Bears' 800-yard freestyle team of Meaghan Phair, Michelle Boss, Jennifer McCormick, and Suzanne Monahan set a new school record with a time of 9:19.67.

Two performances by the 400 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay squads narrowly missed school records.

News from the 2000-01 Season

SOPHOMORE COLLEEN HART SELECTED WNEC ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Women's swimming standout Colleen Hart (Loudonville, NY – Latham Shaker High School) was honored December 5 as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Hart, a sophomore psychology/elementary education major, captured the 50-yard butterfly in 31.81 seconds at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship December 2 at Simmons College in Boston.

She also placed second in the 1000 freestyle with a personal best time of 12 minutes, 57.14 seconds.

The Golden Bears placed third among the four teams in the event.

Western New England hosts Gordon College at 7 p.m. Wednesday (December 6) in its final meet before the holiday break.

COLLEEN HART AND KAYLA ZWEBEN CAPTURE GNAC TITLES

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Junior Kayla Zweben (Kingston, NY – Kingston High School) and sophomore Colleen Hart (Loudonville, NY – Latham Shaker High School) captured individual titles at the 2000 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Swimming Championship December 2 in Boston.

Zweben, a junior psychology major, took first in the 100-yard breaststroke with a school record time of 1 minute, 15.45 seconds.

Hart, a sophomore psychology/elementary education major, won the 50-yard butterfly in 31.81 seconds and placed second in the 1000 freestyle with a personal best time of 12 minutes, 57.14 seconds.

Western New England placed third among the four teams in the meet.

JUNIOR KAYLA ZWEBEN NAMED WNEC ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Women's swimming standout Kayla Zweben (Kingston, NY – Kingston Shaker High School) was honored November 14 as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Zweben, a junior psychology major, was a double winner for the Golden Bears in a close 134-125 loss against Simmons College on November 11. She captured the 100-yard butterfly in 1 minute, 6.2 seconds, and the 100 breaststroke in 1:17.87.

Western New England hosts WPI at 1 p.m. November 18 in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND SECOND
AT SAINT JOSEPH INVITATIONAL

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (Oct. 28, 2000) – Western New England women's swimming team opened its season by finishing second among four teams at the Saint Joseph (Connecticut) Invitational Saturday in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Eastern Connecticut took first (128 points) followed by the Golden Bears (104), Saint Joseph (78), and Wheelock (50).

Western New England's 800-yard freestyle team of senior co-captain Lynn Schneeweis, Suzanne Monahan, Meaghan Phair, and Colleen Hart placed first in 9 minutes, 22.25 seconds (that missed the school record by a half a second). The 3 x 100-yard butterfly squad of Monahan, Hart, and Kayla Zweben was first in 3:39.68.

GOLDEN BEARS LOOK FORWARD
TO SUCCESSFUL 2000-01 SEASON

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 23, 2000) – Western New England College's women's swimming team is looking forward to an exciting and successful season in 2000-01.

Heading the list of returning swimmers are senior co-captains Peg Herpok (North Haven, CT) and Lynn Schneeweis (Chicopee, MA).

Herpok's specialty is the backstroke but she can also can score points in the individual medleys. Schneeweis competes primarily in the sprint freestyle events, but also swims breaststroke and the shorter individual medley races.

Among the other performers to watch are juniors Meaghan Phair (Pittsfield, MA) and Kayla Zweben (Kingston, NY) in the butterfly events and sophomores Colleen Hart (Loudonville, NY) and Suzanne Monahan (Madison, NJ) in the freestyle events.

Schneeweis, Monahan, Phair, and Hart set a school record in the 800-yard freestyle relay last year.

There are 16 swimmers on the Western New England roster, the largest and most talented in school history.

Coach Ben Bump feels his squad has an excellent chance to post its first ever winning season, along with establishing several school records.

Western New England opens its season at the Saint Joseph College (Conn.) Invitational Relays on Saturday, October 28.

1999-2000 Season Review

The Western New England College women's swimming team finished the 2000 season with a record of six wins and nine losses.

The year ended on a positive note with three straight wins, including the season finale over arch-rival Eastern Connecticut State University.

Four school records were established this year by junior Michele Cinkewicz in the 1650-yard freestyle, junior co-captain Lisa-Marie Contrino in the 200-yard backstroke, and freshman Meaghan Phair in the 200-yard butterfly.

The relay team of junior co-captain Lynn Schneeweis and first year swimmers Suzanne Monahan, Meaghan Phair and Colleen Hart set a new mark in the 800-yard freestyle relay.

Having concluded the second year of the team's five year plan, Coach Ben Bump is confident that the team is on track to accomplish its goal of ranking in the upper half of all women's swim teams in New England.

Western New England has an eight-lane, 25-yard/meter swimming facility, which ranks among the best in New England.

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