As the Hood College men’s and women’s swim teams enter their second year of competition in the Capital Athletic Conference, head coach Don Feinberg is hoping the Blazers can make the transition to underdog to threat in the seven-team league.

The Blazer men will have to rely on quality, not quantity, this winter with just six swimmers on the roster. Leading the way are co-captains Jason Kinder and Matt Haynes, both of whom will be versatile assets in any event.

Both Kinder, a senior, and Haynes, a junior, scored at the CAC meet last February and together the tandem owns 13 school records. Haynes is primarily a sprinter who has set records in the 50 free and swam on all five record-setting relay squads. Kinder, a distance specialist, became the first Hood swimmer ever to garner all-conference honors at the 2007 conference meet with a runner-up finish in the 1650 free.

“We can and will use them in any situation, long, short, any event,” said Feinberg, now in his eighth season at Hood.

Breaststroker Robert Ennis comes to Hood from St. John’s High School and is a valuable asset in all four strokes. “Robbie is very coachable and is a hard worker,” said Feinberg. “He has the potential to score at the conference meet.”

Feinberg considers sprinter Brian Cassidy to be a “diamond in the rough.” Cassidy is a product of Kinnelon High School in New Jersey who should develop into a solid contributor in many events despite his lack of club training. “I’ve already seen a huge improvement in Brian,” said Feinberg. “He’s already fast given his limited training.”

Freshman Kyle Atras is a unique story for the entire Hood athletic department. The native of Willow Grove, Pa., had a heart transplant at the tender age of 2 and won three medals at the World Transplant Olympics. He will compete primarily in the middle distance events and, like Cassidy, has already shown drastic improvement.

The Hood women’s roster runs 12 swimmers deep with a mix of six returners and six newcomers. Senior co-captain Lenore Brown makes her triumphant return to the pool after being sidelined all of her junior year with a shoulder injury. “She is far exceeding my expectations after suffering a potential career-ending injury,” said Feinberg. Brown earned numerous individual and relay titles for Hood as a member of the Atlantic Women’s Colleges Conference and looks to finish her swimming career on a positive note.

Senior Amy Kaufman joins Brown as a team co-captain and once again will excel in the distance free as well as the butterfly and individual medley. “Amy placed in the top five in two events at the CAC meet last year and could crack the top three this season,” said Feinberg.

Senior co-captain Katie Hitchens is a sprinting specialist who looks to have another dominant season in the 50 and 100 freestyles. A member of four record-setting relay squads, Hitchens has improved each year with the squad and is very motivated to make this her best season yet.

Junior Ashley Garyn is coming off a phenomenal sophomore season during which she swam lifetime bests in virtually every event. “Ashley has earned our ‘unsung hero’ award two years in a row,” said Feinberg of the Omaha, Neb., native who will swim a variety of events this winter for the Blazers.

Feinberg describes sophomore Erica Hamor as a “jack of all trades” who will also be called upon to swim any of the four disciplines. Hamor also competed for the Blazers outdoor track and field squad in the throwing events last spring and will use the strength gained from her year with the track team to enhance her proficiency in the pool.

Along with Hamor, sophomore Katie Reichard will also be able to use her strength gained from competing in throwing events on the track team. Feinberg describes her as another “diamond in the rough” who should be able to score points in dual meets this season.

Junior Raven Jones is a walk-on to the squad who has already demonstrated a great deal of improvement. She will compete in the freestyle and backstroke events for the Blazers.
Freshman Kristen Kucharski from Saint Mark’s High School in Bear, Del., will spearhead to the butterfly events and has the potential to score points in several other events as well. 

Freshman Kim Wolfgang is a product of Glenelg High School in Glenwood, Md., and is a solid addition to the backstroke events who will challenge the veterans in almost every event.
Newcomers Melissa Masino and Meaghan Verleysen will be quality additions to any event. Both possess versatility and a solid work ethic.

Freshman Leah Chomlek is another coachable athlete who has shown rapid improvement as well. She will compete in the breaststroke and individual medley for Hood.

The Blazers host five home meets this winter, including four against CAC foes. The 2008 CAC meet is slated for Feb. 15-17 at St. Mary’s College (Md.).