Enough suit talk, lets get down to business!
NAU Swimming and Diving has been at it for the past month getting back into shape for the long road that is the Swimming and Diving season. What starts in the end of August does not end until spring break, at least for the collegiate season. With a crop of savvy returners and five, soon to be six, new faces this promises to be a great season for the Lumberjacks!
Coming off of our second straight runner up finish in the Western Athletic Conference, we are hungrier then ever to bring back a conference championship to the Wall Aquatic Center and NAU. It has been eleven years since our last conference title, and that was when we were members of the Pacific Coach Swimming Conference (a conference made up for schools who’s conferences don’t support swimming). The loss of a great senior class is going to be where we start this year. Our new freshmen are chomping at the bit to get into action and show what they can do.
For the next couple of days I will introduce you to each class and what they bring to the pool!
Here is how they break down:
Fi Connell aka Aqua Diva– Fi is a backstroke specialist out of Port Marquis Australia. With her dynamic power off the walls and her drive to never give up, this girl has what it takes to not only win individual titles at the WAC meet, but also make a mark on the national scene.
Jacky Branning aka JB – JB is a local girl who comes to us from all the way down in the Valley. She is a breaststroke and individual medley fanatic and even dabbles in the butterfly. With best times that scare our current school records, JB has what it takes to make an immediate impact on the WAC from day one.
Danielle Palbykin aka Little Red – I just made that nickname up for her, so she will have to get used to it. Being Big Red myself, it was only a matter of time that we got another ginger on the team. Danielle comes to Flagstaff from down in the Valley also. Danielle is a teammate of JB’s and loves anything and everything about distance; at least that what we have told her. She has a passion for swimming miles and will add needed depth to our outstanding distance program.
Kelsey Loy aka Kelsey Loy – Kelsey comes to us from the beaches of San Diego where sun and surf are her specialties. Translating the fun in the sun to fast swimming in Flagstaff will be our goal this year. Specializing in sprint free and backstroke Kelsey will be a great addition to our sprinting program.
Kristy Ardavanis aka Krispy – A diving phenom also form the Valley, Krispy will be looking to make an immediate impact on the already stellar Diving program here at NAU. Specializing on being bouncy on the boards and entering the water with no splash, this diver will make heads turn when she posts her scores.
Last but not least,
Carissa Poeschel aka CP – From Portland, OR, Carissa will be joining the program in the spring semester of 2010. A butterfly guru with times that make me look slow, Carissa will be a valuable addition to an already outstanding butterfly group.
There are your 2009-10 freshman swimmers and divers. Look for four great years out of this group and I am sure they will impress.
NAU Swimming and Diving has been at it for the past month getting back into shape for the long road that is the Swimming and Diving season. What starts in the end of August does not end until spring break, at least for the collegiate season. With a crop of savvy returners and five, soon to be six, new faces this promises to be a great season for the Lumberjacks!
Coming off of our second straight runner up finish in the Western Athletic Conference, we are hungrier then ever to bring back a conference championship to the Wall Aquatic Center and NAU. It has been eleven years since our last conference title, and that was when we were members of the Pacific Coach Swimming Conference (a conference made up for schools who’s conferences don’t support swimming). The loss of a great senior class is going to be where we start this year. Our new freshmen are chomping at the bit to get into action and show what they can do.
For the next couple of days I will introduce you to each class and what they bring to the pool!
Here is how they break down:
Fi Connell aka Aqua Diva– Fi is a backstroke specialist out of Port Marquis Australia. With her dynamic power off the walls and her drive to never give up, this girl has what it takes to not only win individual titles at the WAC meet, but also make a mark on the national scene.
Jacky Branning aka JB – JB is a local girl who comes to us from all the way down in the Valley. She is a breaststroke and individual medley fanatic and even dabbles in the butterfly. With best times that scare our current school records, JB has what it takes to make an immediate impact on the WAC from day one.
Danielle Palbykin aka Little Red – I just made that nickname up for her, so she will have to get used to it. Being Big Red myself, it was only a matter of time that we got another ginger on the team. Danielle comes to Flagstaff from down in the Valley also. Danielle is a teammate of JB’s and loves anything and everything about distance; at least that what we have told her. She has a passion for swimming miles and will add needed depth to our outstanding distance program.
Kelsey Loy aka Kelsey Loy – Kelsey comes to us from the beaches of San Diego where sun and surf are her specialties. Translating the fun in the sun to fast swimming in Flagstaff will be our goal this year. Specializing in sprint free and backstroke Kelsey will be a great addition to our sprinting program.
Kristy Ardavanis aka Krispy – A diving phenom also form the Valley, Krispy will be looking to make an immediate impact on the already stellar Diving program here at NAU. Specializing on being bouncy on the boards and entering the water with no splash, this diver will make heads turn when she posts her scores.
Last but not least,
Carissa Poeschel aka CP – From Portland, OR, Carissa will be joining the program in the spring semester of 2010. A butterfly guru with times that make me look slow, Carissa will be a valuable addition to an already outstanding butterfly group.
There are your 2009-10 freshman swimmers and divers. Look for four great years out of this group and I am sure they will impress.
who on our team has ever called you big red, dave.... haha, dave
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