PREVIEW A glance at area swimming

BOARDMAN
Coach: Terry O'Halloran (6th season).
Returning letterwinners: (Boys) Ryan Yosay sr., captain; Hal Brewster, sr.; Tyler O'Halloran, jr.; Lee Knight, jr.; Grant Brown, jr.; Brian Katz, so. (Girls) Lindsay Knight, sr. co-captain; Shelby Robinson, sr. co-captain; Kristen Kuntzman, sr.; Shannyn Ward, sr.; Sarah Grabert, sr.; Katie Leone, so.; Kristen Lower, so.
Outlook: Two school record breakers are leading both teams. O'Halloran, a two-time state qualifier, specializes in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle events. He currently holds five individual school records.
Freshman Hayley Robinson set school records in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley in the Spartans' opening meet against North Canton Hoover.
Coach says: "Our goal for the season is to send swimmers to state for the third year in a row. While we we are training some of our best swimmers in the 18-year history of Boardman High swimming, we are totally rebuilding the base of our team with 14 first year swimmers. Winning the Valley Swim League championships is a team goal. Canfield and Poland will be the teams to beat." - O'Halloran
POLAND
Coach: Beth Gargasz (1st season)
Returning letterwinners: (Boys) Exchange student Balint Bencz of Hungary. (Girls) Carey Venglarcik jr.; Liz Rothenberg; Allyson Simons, Jessica Simons, Raeanne Coppola.
Outlook: The Bulldogs return 15 letterwinners on a team with 29 swimmers.
Coach says: "If the past repeats itself, the future looks bright. With last year's league and sectional titles at hand, the squad is looking forward to winning again." -- Gargasz.
CANFIELD
Coach: Andria Linnelli (1st season).
Returning letterwinners: (Boys) Matt Zuzik, sr.; Matt Machingo, sr.; Jon Donadee, jr.; John Sinsheimer, jr.; Bryon Holdt, Jr.; Kyle Kuntze, jr.; Matt Dripps, so. (Girls) Kristen Braman, sr.; Emily Mason, sr.; Lynn Kelly, sr.; Melanie Sherman, sr.; Rachel Hall, sr.; Sarah Jirausch, sr.; Priya Patel, sr.; Caroline DeToro, jr.; Shayla Lesho, jr.; Meghan Linnelli, jr.; Elia Sorice, jr.; Sameh Elguizaoui, jr.; Lisa Clarke, jr.; Catherine VanFleet, jr.; Dana Pitzulo, jr.; Cubbey Linnelli, so.; Ashley Nort, so.; Cathi Cassudakis, so.; Vanessa Gestosani, so.; Brittany Brocker, so.
Promising newcomers: Mike Braman, fr.; Jason Purucker, fr.; Rob Frankle, fr.; JD Eicher, fr.; Luke Henderson, fr.; Apurva Padubidri, fr. Jennifer Nentwick, fr.; Abby Pritchard, fr.; Karen Kongmuang, fr.; Lindsey Kurz, fr.; Samantha Hall, fr.; Kelly Reese, fr.; Makenzie Kline, fr.
Outlook: with 19 returning swimmers and divers back and several new swimmers for team depth, the Cardinals should be among the contenders for laurels in the Valley Swim Conference.
Coach says: "Matt Zuzik placed fifth at state last year and he is expected to make it again and place even higher. Meghan Linnelli finished fifth in the 100 freestyle and eighth in the 50 freestyle at state and if all goes well should return to state again. The team to beat in our conference is Boardman; they have many talanted swimmers and a great coaching staff." -- Linnelli.
HOWLAND
Coach: Debbie Mann (1st season).
Returning letterwinners: (Boys) Brian Shroder, sr. (captain); Mike Taclet, sr.; Zac Albright, jr.; Jon Pappas, so.; Nathan Doutt, so.; Nathan Stanko, so. (Girls) Emily Leece, sr. co-captain; Sara Hanson, sr. co-captain; Kaylan Grove, sr.; Gretchen Leiby, sr.; Vanessa Gintert, sr.; Hollie Rawl, jr.; Laureen Pozega, jr.; Lisa Taylor, jr.; MaryEllen Ditchey, so.; Laura Shroder, so.; Nicole Whaley, so.; Carissa Warner, so.
Promising newcomers: Chad Moore, fr.; Heather Gilmour, fr.; Kellie Burke, fr.; Tricia Mark, fr.; Becky Rosenblum, fr. Deanne Potter, fr.
Outlook: Mann comes to Howland with 14 years of coaching experience in New York, where she was named coach of the year in 1998. The Tigers got off to a fast start this season and are currently 4-0, which includes a first-ever victory over Warren Harding.
Coach says: "The girls varsity team is looking forward to a great season. We have 13 returning varsity swimmers back and nine freshman. Brian Shroder, captain, the only team member to make it to district last season, will need to be our leader in and out of the water." -- Mann.
HUBBARD
Coach: Julianne Carsone (1st season).
Returning letterwinners: (Boys) Sam Silsbe, sr.; Marc Moore, so. (Girls) Linda Huff, sr.; Daniela Wallroff, sr.; Katie Ann Sebastiano, jr.; Fair Robinson, jr.; Cara Ryser, so.; Ally Shaw, so.
Promising newcomers: Seniors Troy Brant, Earl Prevoznak, Thiers Reboto, Chris Sikora, Donnie Smith; juniors Jonathon Manners, David Phillips; Sophomores John Fairbanks, Rick Stanford; Freshmen Matt Hogue, Andrew Smith, Anthony Tarr, Senior Ashley Snyder; juniors Allyson LaCivita, Amy Thompson, Linda Watson; sophomores Melissa Brant, Alicia Burick, Jenna Sheronovich, Jaclyn Wardle; Freshmen Tara Donahue, Laura Dripps, Jamie Epperwon, Justine King, Amanda Mogg, Elizabeth Prelac, Terri Shaw, Sarah Sikora.
Outlook: With a new coaching staff Hubbard wants to build a successful swimming and diving program.
Coach says: "All of our swimmers and divers have made great strides and we want our athletes to have a positive and successful season." -- Carsone.
WARREN HARDING
Coach: Craig Charnas (2nd season).
Returning letterwinners (Boys) Justin Calugar, sr., captain; Eddie Angelo, jr.; Nathan King, jr.; Eric Esposito, so.; John Jastatt, so.; Grant Clark, so.; Robert Trammell, so.; Todd Schlaegel, so. (Girls) Megan Schoch, sr., captain; Jhonna Simon, sr.; Darla Drummond, jr.; Sarah Calugar, jr.; Sarah Enos, so.; Jennifer Bilchak, so.; Jenna Simon, sr.
Promising newcomers: Tyler King, fr.; Todd Talstein fr.; Violet Kopiak, fr.; Lindsey Banks, fr.; Lindsey Spain, fr.
Outlook: The Raiders are young, but working very hard and are looking for a successful season.
Coach says: "The team listens well and is eager to learn and is developing some outstanding skills and it's been fun watching as their times drop at each of our meets." -- Charnas.
WARREN JFK
Coach: Erin DeNicholas (1st season).
Returning letterwinners (Boys) Steve Kostyo, sr.c captain; Chris Totten, jr.; Ryan Fraelich, jr.; Mark Davidson, so.; Aaron Vingle, so. (Girls) Sarah Crush, sr. co-captain; Sarah Rizzi, sr. co-captain; Becky Bertuzzi, jr.; Jessica Brunstetter, jr.; Alyson Dorchock, jr.; Liz Meere, jr.; Lauren Chiarella, so.; Alissa Kovalik, so; Mandy Kovalik, so.; Brenna Teaberry, so.
Promising newcomers: Ryan Monti, jr. transfer from Lakeview; Nick Stoian, so.; Brad Brunstetter, fr.; Jeff Lubert, fr.; Liz Thumm, fr.; Stephanie Barker, fr.
Outlook: Because of inexperience it will be a year for learning for the Eagles.
Coach says: "Our goal will to compete for better individual times, but to participate as a team." -- DeNicholas.