Press Release courtesy of St. Bonaventure Athletics.
The St. Bonaventure University men’s swimming and diving team will open its 2017-18 season at the Justin Jennings Memorial Invite this Friday at Colgate University.
Bonnies head coach Sean McNamee has five seniors returning this season: Ben Galinski, Logan Hellwig, Jordan Powers, Matt Taccard, and Aidan Wilson.
Logan Hellwig and Jordan Powers both excelled at last year’s Atlantic 10 Championship meet. Hellwig posted personal bests in the 50-freestyle (21.19), 100-backstroke (51.03), and 100-butterfly (50.06) while Powers earned personal best times in the 50-freestyle (20.87), 100-freestyle (46.38), and 100-butterfly (50.44).
Galinski had personal bests in the 500-freestyle (4:34.72) and 1000-freestyle (9:54.58). Taccard recorded his personal record in the 50-freestyle (20.86), and Wilson posted his PR in the 100-freestyle (50.44).
This year’s St. Bonaventure roster includes seven newcomers: Michael Bruno (Scranton, Pa.), Ethan Carr (Alburtis, Pa.), Maciej Danilewski (Bialystok, Poland), Jason Green(Asheville, NC), Tjaard Krusch (Dorshiem, Germany), Joseph Sepuca (Norwalk, Conn.), and Marcus Swartfager (Grove City, Pa.).
“We are looking for quick adjustments from our freshmen,” McNamee said, noting that his freshmen class is an accomplished group. “We have solid leadership at the top, and will be looking for immediate contribution from the newcomers.”
Stephanie Fleming will take the realm as diving coach this season. She served as the men’s and women’s of the Bonnies in 2010-2013. Before returning to St. Bonaventure this season, she was the head men’s and women’s diving coach at the University of Findlay from 2013-2016.
Michael Bruno will be the only diver on this year’s men’s roster.
“Michael has really stepped up to the plate,” said Fleming. “I am really excited to see what is in store for him this season, as well as the next couple of years. He is working really hard.”
For the first time in his 26-year tenure, McNamee has a full-time assistant coach as Logan Arnold joins the Bonnies coaching staff this season. Arnold will be working with both the men’s and women’s teams.
“I have not functioned with a staff in the past,” said McNamee. “It is a learning experience for all of us. It has been different, but good without question as we are able to give more individual attention. The opportunities are immense this season, and we are taking immense measures to try to maximize our ability.”
The Bonnies will look to bounce back from a seventh place finish at last year’s Atlantic 10 Championship meet, the first time St. Bonaventure has finished below fifth place in McNamee’s 26 seasons. His teams have finished third or better at the conference championship meet in 23 of his 26 seasons at St. Bonaventure, winning the Atlantic 10 title in 1993, 1999, 2006, 2013, and 2014.
The Bonnies’ schedule will feature two home meets this season. St. Bonaventure’s first home meet is slated for Nov. 11 when Canisius visits the Reilly Center Pool and the other home action will come Jan. 13 against Binghamton.
