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Ryan Paisley and Josh Grzech are reaping the rewards for their solid start to the season with the Bloomsburg men’s swim team.
Hazleton Area grad Paisley was named to the CollegeSwimming.com team after winning the 200 freestyle (1:44.69), the 50 freestyle (21.46) and the 200 IM (1:58.26) as the Huskies defeated Clarion 182-111. A week earlier, the junior was named PSAC Swimmer of the Week (Nov. 8).
“Ryan has been simply outstanding,” coach Stu Marvin said. “He was out of the sport for over a year before transferring here this semester and his impact was felt right away, not just his swimming talent, but his maturity and leadership. He has already posted career best times in several events, swimming faster than he ever expected.”
Crestwood grad Grzech was named PSAC Swimmer of the Week for his efforts against Clarion. He captured the 100 backstroke (55.28) and the 100 butterfly (53.37) and was part of the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays teams. His butterfly time places him sixth on the league’s current performance list.
“Josh made a solid impact when he arrived last year,” Marvin said. “Now a sophomore, he understands what it takes to move to the next level. He is a dedicated athlete and is relentless in his workouts.”
The Huskies are competing in the Zippy Invitational this weekend in Akron, OH.
First team for Dessoye, Newak
Maryland senior Anna Dessoye and Wake Forest senior Jess Newak were named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Regional first team.
Dessoye was named to the Atlantic Region squad. The Crestwood grad led the Terps to a 19-3 record. She had eight goals and 18 assists for 34 points with two game-winners.
Newak, also a Crestwood grad, was named to the South Region team. She had 12 goals and eight assists for 32 points with three game-winners for the 13-5 Demon Deacons.
Selena Adamshick of St. Francis, Kelcie Hromisin of Boston College and Chandler Ackers of Iowa earned second team honors. Adamshick (Lake-Lehman) had 11 goals and seven assists for 29 points, Hromisin (Wyoming Valley West) collected nine goals and an assist with two game-winners, and Ackers (Crestwood) had eight goals and six assists for 22 points.
Misercordia’s Lindsay Hischak was named to the Division III South Atlantic first team while Marissa Surdy of Wilkes was selected to the second team. Both are Crestwood grads, junior Hischak collecting 15 goals and 11 assists for 41 points and two game-winners and sophomore Surdy scoring 16 goals with 14 assists for 46 points and five game-winners.
The NFHCA will announce its All-American teams later this month.
Degnan with champs
Junior Serra Degnan started all 22 games at forward for the Syracuse field hockey team, including in a 4-2 victory over North Carolina in the NCAA Division I Championship game. The Wyoming Area grad had three goals and four assists for 10 points during the season.
“Serra is a special player,” coach Ange Bradley said. “I’d say she’s the heart and soul of our midfield and someone that we can always count on. She works extremely hard and is a real tough player.”
The Orange finished 21-1 with only a 2-1 overtime loss to the Tar Heels in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game blemishing their record.
“I’m so proud of this group of women who worked so hard to accomplish this (the NCAA title),” Bradley said.
Honor for Finnegan – Elizabethtown senior Elizabeth Finnegan has been named the Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week in women’s swimming. The Holy Redeemer grad was selected after she captured the 50 freestyle (25.97) and was a member the winning 200 medley relay (1:59.42) and 200 freestyle relay (1:47.75) in a 130-75 victory over Lebanon Valley.
The honor was the first for Finnegan, who has been limited to less than two seasons in the pool due to medical issues.
“Elizabeth’s performance has been very helpful,” coach Mark Wilson said. “She is our top sprinter and anchors both our relays which has helped them win.”
The coach will miss Finnegan when she graduates.
“It’s tough as a coach to see seniors leave after so many years, but graduation is what it’s all about,” Wilson said.
Hicks tough in relays
The Widener men’s swim team has one of the strongest – if not the strongest — freestyle relay teams in the Middle Atlantic Conference and junior Jeff Hicks is a major part of the unit.
The Hazleton Area grad is part of the 400 free (3:05.08) and 800 free (6:55.20) relays that are MAC record-holders.
“Recently, Jeff was part of the school record-setting 200 free relay at the fall invitational (at Franklin & Marshall),” coach Katy Peterson said.
That time was 1:24.36.
Hicks also competes in all sprint freestyle events and has the fourth best time in the 100 free (47.44) in school history.
“Jeff’s hard work and dedication continue to make him a true leader on the team in the pool and in the class room,” Peterson said.
Ulichney on the ice
Sophomore John Ulichney has played in all eight games on defense for the 3-5 Daniel Webster men’s hockey team. The Eagles competing in NCAA Division III for the first time. The Coughlin grad and former Wilkes-Barre Miner, played in 21 games and had a goal and nine assists last season when the team was a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
“John has been a solid contributor on the blue line in our first full season as a Division III program,” coach Eric McCambly said. “He has improved in each game and adapting to the speed and quickness at this level while being counted on to bring a physical presence for the team on defense.”
Good start for McGrane
Junior Kylee McGrane has picked up three victories in the first two meets for the Mount St. Vincent women’s swim team. The Coughlin grad captured the 100 freestyle (1:03.30) and the 200 butterfly (2:58.45) in victories over St. Joseph’s College of Brooklyn and the College of New Rochelle. And, she took the 200 free in a 64-26 triumph over New York’s York College.
“Kylee is the women’s captain and a great competitor,” coach Michael Loeffler said. “She might not be the most talented swimmer in the league, but she swims with 100 percent heart and usually keeps all of her races close. And, she accepts whatever challenges we give her.”
Moore goes the distance
Freshman Ezra Moore is the top distance freestyle swimmer with the York men’s team. The Dallas grad has the best time on the team in the 1,000 freestyle (10:43.68) and the 1,650 freestyle (17:57.68). And, he’s second in the 500 freestyle (5:10.20).
“Ezra is a very versatile swimmer,” first-year coach Greg Doyle said. “He works hard each day and gives each practice everything he has. I look forward to his results come the CAC (Capital Athletic Conference) championships (Feb. 19-21 in St. Mary’s City, MD).”
The Spartans are competing in the College of New Jersey Invitational this weekend in Ewing Township.