Beginning their season at the end of October, the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams have a had a great start so far, with the women placing eighth and the men placing seventh at Boston College’s New England Catholic Invitational and then falling in a close meet to Bentley. “The meets so far have been very promising,” states head coach Joe Hannah, who begins his 23rd season as head coach.

To prepare for the season, the team has been focusing on “strength and flexibility to make them stronger athletes” states Hannah.

After losing two of their leading team members last year, swimmer Katie O’Donnell and diver Drew Aquaviva, the Dolphins are filling in the open spaces with strong upperclassmen and new recruits.

“The new recruits are a very good bunch, with a lot of fine new swimmers. On the women’s side there is Tara O’Donnell who is the sister of All-American Katie O’Donnell,” states Hannah. Recently, O’Donnell won two events at their first meet at Boston College, the 100 and 200 yard backstroke.

On the men’s side, new recruits Daniel Tarbrake and Benjamin Verdi look to be strong additions to the team. “These recruits have a potential to achieve a higher level,” states Hannah.

The team not only has strong new additions to the team, but even stronger returning members.

“The returning members of the men’s team are fairly solid,” reflects Hannah, “Returning women Julia Jones, Allie Scorzelli and Sarah Connelly will contribute heavily to the team. All of the team [members] are good kids.”

The team goals for this season are to “finish as high in the NE-10 as we can and maybe get a couple of kids to a higher level. Tarbrake, O’Donnell and freshman diver Joshua Byrne have the potential.”

The biggest competition for the team this year will be at the Ithaca Invitational December 1 and 2 and at the Northeast-10 Championships on January 31 through February 2. “Hopefully we will be at nationals in March as well,” states Hannah.

The next meet for the Dolphins is this Sunday at home against Pace at 1:00 p.m.