Ohio Wesleyan University | Battling Bishop Athletics

2008-09 Season Preview

[ Megan Downing ] The Ohio Wesleyan University women's swimming team finished in seventh 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 much better depth this year," Hawes said. "We have a better ability to move people around a little bit. Our strength will be our depth. We don't have any real standout-type swimmers, but we have individuals who can contribute at any time in any meet."

[ Meghan Warren ] Seniors Megan Downing (Mentor/Gilmour Academy) and Meghan Warren (Marlton, N.J./Shawnee), the team captains, will provide leadership. "They are strong individuals within the group who will keep things very connected for us," Hawes said.

Downing turned in a pair of top-25 finishes at last year's NCAC championship meet, finishing 21st in the 100 breaststroke and 22nd in the 200 breaststroke, while Warren had 3 top-25 finishes, placing 18th in the 200 backstroke, 21st in the 100 backstroke and 24th in the 400 IM.

Five other returnees round out the Bishops' senior class. "That's one of the largest point-scoring groups we have coming back," Hawes said. All 5 recorded at least one top-25 finish at last year's NCAC championship, with senior Tarenne Ferenchak (Haddonfield, N.J.) placing 18th in the 1650 freestyle and 23rd in the 400 IM, senior Katie Germano (Towaco, N.J./Montville Township) finishing 22nd in the 200 butterfly and 23rd in the 200 backstroke, senior Caitlin Hagen (East Lyme, Conn.) finishing 19th in the 100 breaststroke and 21st in the 200 breaststroke, senior Katie Keleshian (Richmond Heights/Regina) placing 15th in the 100 backstroke and the 1650 freestyle and 19th in the 200 backstroke, and senior Kim Leary (Chagrin Falls) finishing 23rd in the 1650 freestyle.

[ Kendra Klossner ] Junior Kendra Klossner (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) was perhaps the Bishops' best swimmer at last year's conference championship, chalking up an 11th-place finish in the 200 backstroke along with a 12th in the 100 backstroke and a 15th in the 50 freestyle.

Junior Erin Hanahan (Madison/Perry) is the Bishops' top returning diver, posting a pair of top-10 finishes at the 2008 NCAC championship meet.

Junior Ashley Rosenquist (Willits, Calif.), who finished 22nd in the 1650 freestyle at the NCAC meet, will lead the Bishop distance corps, and junior Kim Davis (Selangor, Malaysia/Kuala Lumpur Int'l) returns to the team after missing the 2007-08 season.

[ Brenna Irrer ] Sophomores Brenna Irrer (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer) and Marisa Obuchowski (Baltimore, Md./Pikesville) were significant contributors last year.

Irrer racked up 3 top-20 finishes at the NCAC meet, finishing 14th in the 200 breaststroke, 15th in the 400 IM and 17th in the 100 breaststroke, while Obuchowski had a pair of top-20 finishes, placing 14th in the 100 breaststroke and 20th in the 200 backstroke along with a 21st in the 400 IM.

Sophomores Bridget Fahey (Delaware/Hayes) and Caroline Miller (Woodmere, N.Y./Hewlett) also are returning letterwinners.

Newcomers who could contribute this season include freshman Whitney Fischer (Lima/Senior) and freshman Rachel Schlosser (Euclid) in the sprint freestyle events; freshman Holly Gilbert (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy), freshman Leah Puening (Independence) and freshman Michelle Strong (Londonderry, N.H.) in the distance freestyle events; freshman Karen Lee (Hong Kong, China/Diocesan Girls' School) and freshman Kirstin Mowry (Centerville) in the breaststroke and freestyle; freshman Ali Russ (Shaker Heights) in the freestyle and butterfly; freshman Marina Metzler (Columbia, Md./Hammond) in the butterfly and individual medley; freshman Randi Savage (Delaware/Hayes) in the butterfly and freestyle; freshman Jill Simpson (Westerville/North) in the backstroke; and freshman Morgan Canup (Milford, Mich.) in the diving events.

"We have a large group of freshmen, and they show really strong talent," Hawes said. "It will be fun to move them around and find out where they fit best. I believe they will be a large portion of our scoring group throughout the year — there is a lot of potential there."

Ohio Wesleyan opens its season on Oct. 25 at the NCAC Relays meet. The Bishops kick off the dual meet season on Oct. 30 by visiting NCAC rival Wittenberg.

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