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Youngstown State swim program opens season with talented team
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Sophomore Casey Hill was fourth in the Horizon League championships in the 1- and 3-meter dives last season, and qualified for the NCAA Zone C championships.
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Youngstown State swimmer Samantha Roberts set school records in the 100- and 200-yard breast stroke last season, and is also a standout in the individual medley.
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
An influx of talented freshmen and a solid group of returning swimmers and divers give Youngstown State a group that could make strides this season.
The Penguins have a school-record 25 members on the squad, including 10 new freshmen. Leading the way are returning record holders Nishani Cicilson, Samantha Roberts, Ashley Williamson and Caitlin Cook.
Cicilson is the school-record holder in the 50-yard freestyle, Cook established a school mark in the 200-yard butterfly in 2009, Williamson set marks in the 100 fly, 100 and 200 backs in 2009 as well while Roberts set new standards in the 100 and 200 breaststroke last year.
In the sprint events, Cicilson leads the way after establishing a school record of 23.82 seconds in the 50 free, finishing fifth at the Horizon League Championships in February. Cicilson also had the program’s fastest time in the 100 free last year followed by Kirstin Walker.
Walker was the program’s top swimmer in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events. Her top time in the 200 of 1:55.27 ranks third in school history while her 5:15.66 in the 500 is also third.
In the middle distance and long distance freestyle, freshmen Megan Ciampa and Brittany Vigar will look to make an impact.
At the team’s recent Red-White meet, Ciampa swam an 11:07.32 in the 1,000 while Brittany Vigar had a time of 11:15.89. In the 500, Ciampa was at 5:30.86 while Vigar was close behind at 5:33.59.
Harbarger had the top time for the Penguins last year with a 10:47.84 at the Horizon League Championships in the 1,000 and should see time in the 500 as well. Look for all three, along with junior Katie Wolf to compete in the 1,500 and 1,650 events as well.
In the backstroke, freshman Laura Paz will be counted on to step in joining Cook as the major contributors. Paz had the best time at the squad’s Red-White meet last week at 2:20.05. Cook was close behind and last year finished 12th in the 200-yard event at the Horizon League championships. Four of YSU’s top five 200-yard performers return from last year’s squad.
Roberts returns after placing fifth at the Horizon League Championships with time of 2:21.16 in the 200-yard breaststroke. She is the school-record holder in the event by more than seven seconds. She is also the school record-holder in the 100 breast.
In the butterfly, the Penguins’ top three performers return. Leading the way is Cicilson in the 100 and Cook in the 200. Cicilson was 13th in the 100 last year at the HL meet while Cook was 12th in the 200.
Roberts established the third-best time in school history in the 400 IM at last year’s league meet. Overall, YSU returns four of its top five 200 IM performers and its top two in the 400.
YSU opens the season on Friday at the Tom Stubbs Relays, hosted by Bowling Green.
The Penguins’ first home meet of the season is Saturday at noon against Butler.