Ohio Wesleyan University | Battling Bishop Athletics

2007-08 Season Preview

[ Katherine Donnan ] The Ohio Wesleyan University women's swimming team moved up to sixth place in the rugged North Coast Athletic Conference — perhaps the toughest conference in Division III — championship meet last February, and with 15 returning letterwomen and a talented group of newcomers, Battling Bishop swimming coach Dick Hawes looks for his squad to hold that position, if not improve upon it.

"We have a well-rounded team and are covered in every area," Hawes said. "We don't have any real weak areas."

Seniors Katherine Donnan (Columbus/Bishop Hartley), Kara Roby (Massillon/Washington) and Rachel Ryan (Kinnelon, N.J.) will be the leaders on the squad.

Donnan, who won All-NCAC honors with a second-place finish in the 1-meter diving last year, leads a deep Bishop diving corps. Roby posted a top-10 finish in the 1650 freestyle and top-20 performances in the 400 IM and the 200 butterfly last year. Ryan, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, had a top-20 NCAC finish in the 100 butterfly and was part of a school-record-setting 200 medley relay team at the 2006 conference meet.

Junior Jessica Egnatuk (Albion, Mich.) had a pair of top-20 finishes at last season's NCAC championship meet, placing 16th in the 200 breaststroke and 19th in the 100 breaststroke, and junior Katie Keleshian (Richmond Heights/Regina) was 16th in the 100 backstroke and 19th in the 200 backstroke. Junior Tarenne Ferenchak (Haddonfield, N.J.) also had a pair of top-20 finishes, coming in 16th in the 400 IM and 20th in the 1650 freestyle, as did junior Meghan Warren (Marlton, N.J./Shawnee), who was 18th in the 200 backstroke and 19th in the 100 butterfly.

[ Megan Downing ] The Bishops' deep junior class also features top-25 NCAC finishers in Kim Leary (Chagrin Falls) in the 1650 freestyle; Katie Germano (Towaco, N.J./Montville Township) in the 200 butterfly, 400 IM and 200 backstroke; and Caitlin Hagen (East Lyme, Conn.) in the 100 breaststroke; as well as Megan Downing (Mentor/Gilmour Academy), who will rejoin the team after studying abroad during the fall semester.

Sophomore Kendra Klossner (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) made an immediate impact, finishing in the top 10 in the 1650 freestyle and the top 20 in the 400 IM and the 200 butterfly, and classmate Erin Hanahan (Madison/Perry) finished eighth in the 3-meter diving.

Other returning letterwinners are senior Melissa Dane (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia) and sophomore Ashley Rosenquist (Willits, Calif.).

Newcomers who should contribute include senior Natalie Cuevas (Chicago, Ill./Latin School), who gives the Bishops excellent depth in the diving events; freshman Brenna Irrer (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer), who will compete in the IM, breaststroke and butterfly; freshman Kelley King (Darien, Conn.), who will compete in the distance freestyle; and freshman Marisa Obuchowski (Baltimore, Md./Pikesville), who will swim the IM and breaststroke.

Freshman Bridget Fahey (Delaware/Hayes) will compete in the backstroke and distance freestyle, freshman Caroline Miller (Woodmere, N.Y./Hewlett) will add depth in the butterfly and freestyle, and freshman Stacey Tighe (Lewis Center/Olentangy) will join the team after the conclusion of the Bishop volleyball season.

Ohio Wesleyan opens its season on Oct. 20 at the NCAC Relays meet. The Bishops kick off the dual meet season on Oct. 27 by hosting perennial national power Denison.

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