Seniors Will Be Recognized At Fridays Meet
1/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
ORONO, Maine- The University of Maine women's swimming and diving seniors will be recognized at their last home meet against UNH on Friday Jan. 31st at 5:00pm.
Seniors Shannon Bender (Cumberland, R.I.), Rebecca Bonnett (Bath, Maine), Kara Capossela (Greenwich, Conn.), Lauren Dwyer (Orono, Maine), Paige Kelley (Belfast, Maine), Courtney Mellish (Barrie, Ontario), Emily Puleio (Saco, Maine), and Erica Smrcina (North Falmouth, Mass.) will be recognized before Fridays meet as they swim at Wallace pool for the last time.
Bender as a freshman competed in the America East Championships. Set three school-records for the Black Bears in the 1000-yard freestyle, the 1650-yard freestyle and the 400-yard IM as a sophomore. Bender was also named to America East Honor Roll in 2011-2012. As a junior Bender set a new school record in the 800-yard freestyle relay and broke the 200-yard backstroke record at America East Championships.
Bonnett as freshman was named to America East Commissioner's Honor Roll and also competed at the New England Collegiate Challenge. Bonnett competed in the 400-yard IM, 200-yard backstroke and the 200-yard butterfly at the America East Championships as a freshman. As a junior she competed in the 200-yard butterfly at the America East Championships.
Capossela has received numerous Diver of the Week awards in her career. As a freshman she placed fourth in the three meter and fifth in the one-meter event at America East Championships. As a sophomore Capossela received the Miller Diving award as Maine's top diver and was also named to America East Commissioner's Honor Roll. Capossela received the Miller Diving award again as a junior and placed sixth in the one-meter at ECAC. Capossela received All Conference Honors in the 2012-2013 season.
Dwyer as freshman participated in three events at America East Championships and was named to America East Honor Roll. As a sophomore Dwyer received the Erin Woolley Memorial Award and helped her team set new school records in the 200 and 400-yard medley relay and was also named to the America East Honor Roll. As a junior Dwyer helped set a new school record in the 800-yard freestyle relay and placed third in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a new school record time at the America East Championships.
Kelley as a freshman was named to America East Honor Roll and Maine Academic Rising Star. As a sophomore Kelley finished second in the 1000-yard freestyle against Bowdoin. Kelley placed ninth in the 100-yard freestyle against UNH. As a junior Kelley competed in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle against Vermont.
Courtney Mellish as a freshman was a member of both the 200 and 400-yard record breaking medley relay teams. As a sophomore Mellish competed in three events at the America East Championships. As a junior Mellish won the 200-yard backstroke and placed second in the 100-yard fly against Providence and competed in the 100-yard backstroke at the America East Championships.
Puleio competed in the America East Championships as a freshman and was named a Maine Academic Rising Star. As a sophomore Puleio was named to America East Honor Roll and was a Maine Scholar-Athlete Bronze medalist and also competed in the America East Championships. In her junior year Puleio competed in three events at the ECAC Championships.
Smrcina as freshman set a new school record in the 100-yard fly, competed at the America East Championships and was a member of the record breaking 200 and 400-yard medley relay teams. As a sophomore Smrcina broke the 100-yard butterfly school record previously set by her. Smrcina was named to the America East Honor Roll in the 2011-12 season. In her junior year she broke the women's 100-yard butterfly record at the American East Championships and set a new school record in the 100-yard butterfly (55.63) and placed ninth overall at the ECAC.
Fridays meet will begin at 5:00pm with a ceremony for the seniors before the start.
