RECRUIT QUESTIONNAIRE TO PROSPECTIVE ATHLETES
FROM COACH BENVENUTI

2002-2003

Swimming & Diving News

3/31: Kovenock Retains All-America Status-Brendan Boyle Earns Honorable Mention at Nationals in Atlanta

New London, Conn. --Sophomore Kate Kovenock (Orono, ME) retained her All-America status at the NCAA Division III National Championship in Atlanta, GA. Kovenock finished fourth in the 50-yard freestyle, fifth in the 100-yard freestyle and was fifth in the 200-yard free. Just a sophomore, Kovenock is now a five time All-American for the Camels. The Camel men finished 38th in the nationals at Atlanta. Senior diver Brendan Boyle (Hingham, MA) posted a 10th place finish in the 1-meter dive and was 17th in the 3-meter dive. Boyle's performance earned him All-American recognition as an honorable mention.

3/3: Camel Men Finish 10th at NESCAC Championship Meet

Senior Brendan Boyle Earns All-Conference Accolades in Diving

New London, Conn. --The Connecticut College men's swimming team completed its successful 2002-2003 swimming season with a 10th place finish at the NESCAC Championship in Williamstown, MA this past weekend. The Camels finished with 423.5 points, scoring the highest ever point total for the program at a conference championship meet. Three school records were shattered at the meet and senior captain Brendan Boyle (Hingham, MA) turned in another outstanding performance in diving competition.

Freshman Andrew Dutton of Ledyard set a new record in the 400-yard individual medley, finishing in 4:26. In the 50-yard butterfly, freshman Alex Hoyt (Orange, CT) set a new Camel record, posting a time of 24:69. Josh Garner (Glendale, WI) and Wynne Breed (McLean, VA) teamed up with Dutton and Hoyt for a seventh place finish in the 200-yard medley relay, posting a record-breaking time of 1:39.65.

Brendan Boyle continued to dominate the diving boards, finishing second in the one and 3-meter dive events, automatically placing him on the NESCAC All-Conference squad. Josh Garner placed seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke. In the 400-yard medley relay, the foursome Garner, Hoyt, Dutton and Zachary Landry (Coventry, CT) finished seventh with a time of 3:50.16. In the 800-yard freestyle relay, Pike Severance (Manchester, NH), Wynne Breed, Andrew Dutton and Landry finished eighth for the Camels.

2/24: Kovenock Leads Camels at NESCAC Championship

New London, Conn. --The Connecticut College women's swimming team placed ninth at the NESCAC Conference Championship meet at Bowdoin College Saturday afternoon. Sophomore All-America Kate Kovenock (Orono, ME) paced the Camels to a respectable finish with 534 total team points. Kovenock set a NESCAC Championship meet record and a Connecticut College program record in the 200-yard free, posting a time of 1:53.14. Swimming in her home state, Kovenock also recorded victories in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle races, with respective time of 23.90 and 52.90.

A pair of Camel freshmen turned in strong performances in their respective individual events. Kate Derr (Old Greenwich, CT) finished seventh in the 50-yard breaststroke with a time of :32.04. Molly Goettsche (Clinton, CT) placed sixth in the 50-yard backstroke event, finishing in :29.07.

The Camels also set three additional school records at the championship meet. In the 200-yard medley relay, the foursome of Molly Goettsche, Kate Derr, Kate Kovenock, and Lexie Zukowski (Plainfield, NJ) set a new program record with a time of 1:53.57. The previous record had stood since 1990. In the 400-yard medley relay, Molly Goettsche, Kate Derr, Kate Kovenock and Gabrielle Zandan (Austin, TX) posted a record-breaking time of 4:08.51. In the 200-yard free relay, Molly Goettsche, Kate Kovenock, Gabrielle Zandan and Lexie Zukowski teamed up for a record setting finish of 1:41.72.

2/11: Camel Men and Women Drop Meet to Bates, Finish Season With Winning Records

New London, Conn. --The Connecticut College swimming teams were in action this Saturday against Bates College in Lott Natatorium. The Camel men were defeated 169-109 while the women dropped a 192-104 decision to the Bobcats. Despite the defeats, the Camels still had some fine performances.

For the Camel men, senior Josh Garner won both the 100 and 200-yard breaststrokes. Zach Landry was victorious in the 200-yard freestyle. Senior captain Brendan Boyle won the 1-meter diving event and Andrew Dutton won the 200-yard individual medley.

In the women's meet, Molly Goettsche, Kate Derr, Kate Kovenock, and Lexie Zukowski combined to set a new Connecticut College record in the 200-yard Medley Relay with a time of 1:55.22. Sophomore All-American Kate Kovenock captured first place in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterffly. Freshman Molly Goettsche placed first in the 10-yard Backstroke and the 200-yard individual medley.

The Camel men finish the season at 5-3 while the women are 10-4.

Results

2/1: Camel Men Down Wheaton 135-95

NEW LONDON, CT. --The Connecticut College men's swimming team (5-2) assured themselves of ending the season with a winning record, notching a 135-95 victory against Wheaton College in Lott Natatorium this afternoon.

Freshman Andrew Dutton (Ledard, CT) placed first in the 1000 and 500-yard freestyle races. Dutton timed out at 10:53.07 in the 1000-yard distance and completed the 500-yard race in 5:13.42. ECAC Division III Diver of the Week Brendan Boyle (Hingham, MA) had a solid afternoon, sweeping his two events in the one and 3-meter dive. Boyle scored 283.27 in the 1-meter and 291.82 in the 3-meter dive. Alex Hoyt (Orange, CT) placed first in the 200-yard individual (2:11.32) medley and the 100-yard backstroke (:59.63).

The Camels will host Bates College this Saturday in Lott Natatorium.

Results

1/30: Kate Kovenock Tabbed as ECAC Division III Swimmer of the Week

NEW LONDON, CT. -- Connecticut College sophomore swimmer Kate Kovenock, a 2001 graduate of Orono High School, was selected as the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Swimmer of the Week for the week ending January 25 .

Kovenock captured first place in five events for the Camels who were 3-0 this week. Friday night, Kovenock took first in the 50-yard freestyle (24.29 pts) and the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1:00.4. On Saturday afternoon, in a dual meet with Clark and Colby Sawyer, Kovenock captured 1st place in both 100 and 200-yard freestyle events, qualifying for the NCAAs in both distances and timing out at 1:55.67 in the 200-yard distance. She also placed first in the 50-yard butterfly with 27.71 points.

Kovenock earned All-American honors in swimming last year at the NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championship. Currently undecided as to her major, Kovenock is a Dean's List student at the college.

1/30: Brendan Boyle Named ECAC Division III Diver of the Week

NEW LONDON, Conn--Connecticut College senior diver Brendan Boyle, a 1999 graduate of Boston College High School and resident of Hingham, MA, was tabbed as the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Diver of the week for the week ending January 25.

Boyle swept his four diving events this week and set a school record in the 1-meter event. Friday night against Wesleyan, Boyle scored 282.98 in the 1-meter dive event and 269.1 in the 3-meter event. Saturday afternoon in a duel meet with Clark and Colby Sawyer, Boyle set a new school record with 302.1 in the 1-meter event and scored a 295.5 in the 3-meter distance.

Boyle was named Most Outstanding Performer for the Camels and earned an honorable mention for the All-American honors at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships in both 2000 and 2001. An active member of Amnesty International and a Dean's List student at the college, Boyle will graduate in May with a double major in English and Philosophy.

1/25: Camel Men & Women Sweep Clark & Colby Sawyer

NEW LONDON, Conn. --The Connecticut College men and women's swim teams each recorded victories over Clark University and Colby Sawyer College this afternoon in Lott Natatorium. The women improved to 10-3 with a 159-125 victory over Clark and a 108-62 victory against Colby Sawyer. The men earned a 75-58 win over Colby Sawyer and a 155-111 victory against Clark.

Sophomore Kate Kovenock (Orono, ME) captured first place in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle events, qualifying for the NCAA championship in both distances. Kovenock also finished first in the 50-yard butterfly. Molly Goettsche (Clinton, CT) was victorious in the 50 and 200-yard backstroke events. Kate Derr (Old Greenwich, CT) notched victories in the 50 and 200-yard breaststroke events. Heidi Freeman (Barrington, IL) qualified for the NCAAs with victories in both the one and three meter diving events.

Senior captain Brendan Boyle (Hingham, MA) was victorious in both one and three meter diving events. Boyle set a school record in the one-meter event. Josh Garner (Glendale, WI) placed first in the 50 and 200-yard breaststroke events. Alex Hoyt (Orange, CT) finished first in the 50 and 200-yard backstroke events. Andrew Dutton captured first in the 200 and 500-yard freestyle events.

Friday night, Molly Goettsche placed first and set a school record in the 400 yard individual medley with a time of 5:00.46, highlighting a 125-118 come from behind victory over Wesleyan in Lott Natatorium. Goettsche also captured first place in the 100-yard backstroke. Sophomore Kate Kovenock followed up her strong performance at RPI with a first place finish in the 50-yard freestyle and 100 yard butterfly. Heidi Freeman recorded 1st place finishes in the one and three meter diving events. The Camel women are 8-3.

The Camel men were defeated 139-81 but still had some terrific individual performances. Andrew Dutton shattered a school record in the 400-yard individual medley, timing out at 4:30.77, fifteen seconds faster than the previous mark. Alex Hoyt swam his personal best in the 100-yard backstroke, finishing in 57.63.

Results vs Wesleyan vs Clark & Colby Sawyer

1/18: Kate Kovenock Qualifies for NCAA Championship: Camel Women Finish Second at RPI Invitational

NEW LONDON, Conn. --The Connecticut College women's swimming team improved to 7-3 with a strong performance at the RPI Invitational in Troy, NY this Saturday afternoon. In the invitational format, the Camels finished second out of seven schools behind SUNY Cortland with 382 points. In the dual meets, the Camels lost to SUNY Cortland but beat six other institutions.

Sophomore Kate Kovenock (Orono, ME) posted times of 23.35 in the 50-yard and 51.31 in the 100-yard freestyle events. Both finishes for Kovenock were school and NESCAC Conference records, as well as NCAA automatic qualifying times. Senior captain Keri Ouellette (Bourne, MA) scored personal bests in the 1000 (11:59.41) and 500 (5:52.45) yard freestyle events. Freshman Molly Goettsche (Clinton, CT) finished with her fastest time in the 200-yard backstroke, timing out at 2:19.45.

Lisa Bartels (Brookline, MA) placed second in the 200-yard freestyle event, timing out at 2:06.72. Senior Heidi Freeman (Barrington, IL) placed first in the 1-Meter Dive event (228.95) and second in the 3-Meter Dive Event (234.05). Freshman Kate Derr (Old Greenwich, CT) posted a time of 2:37.02, placing second in the 200-yard breast event. The Camels are 7-3 overall.

1/16: Camels Drop Meet to Coast Guard

NEW LONDON, Conn. --The Connecticut College swimming teams each dropped a meet against the the Coast Guard Academy Thursday evening in Lott Natatorium. The men were defeated 137-96 while the women were edged 127-114. Results of Thursday's meet are attached. [Results]

12/8: Camels Split With Trinity-Men Pull Out Win-Women Set Three Pool Records in Narrow Defeat

NEW LONDON, Conn. --The Connecticut College swimming teams had a productive afternoon in the NESCAC opener at Trinity College Saturday. The men's squad defeated Trinity 156 to 111 and won 11 out of 16 events. Josh Garner (Glendale, WI) set a pool record in the 50-yard Breaststroke with a time of 28.46. He also won the 100-yard Breaststroke. Andrew Dutton (Ledyard, CT) won both the 1000 and 500-yard Freestyles as well as the 100-yard butterfly. Alex Hoyt (Orange, CT) won the 50 and 100-yard backstrokes and the 50 yard butterfly. Senior co-captain Pike Severance (Manchester, NH) won the 200 Freestyle.

The women's club dropped a close one to Trinity, 146-156. The Camels pulled out victories in 10 out of 16 events and set 3 pool records in the process. The 200 Medley Relay team of Molly Goettsche (Clinton, CT), Kate Derr (Old Greenwich, CT), Kate Kovenock (Orono, ME), and Lisa Bartels (Brookline, MA) won and set a pool record of 1:56.43. Kate Kovenock won and set a pool record of 1:00.55 in the 100-yard butterfly. The 400-yard Free Relay of Lexie Zukowski (Plainfield, NJ), Gabrielle Zandan (Austin, TX), Lisa Bartels, and Kate Kovenock won and set a pool record of 3:48.45. Kate Kovenock recorded victories in the 100-yard butterfly and the 500-yard freestyle. Kate Derr registered wins in the 50 and 100 breaststrokes. Lexie Zukowski won the 50-yard Free, and Gabrielle Zandan won the 100-yard Free. Heidi Freeman (Barrington, IL) won both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events.

Results of Saturday's meet are attached below.

[Women] [Men]

11/25: Connecticut College Sweeps UMass Dartmouth

NEW LONDON, Conn. --The Connecticut College Aquatics program earned victories against UMass Dartmouth Saturday afternoon. Results are attached below. [Women] [Men]

head coach Marc Benvenuti is getting acquainted with the picturesque sunrise on the Thames River as he prepares for his morning

11/20: A New Era Begins in Connecticut College Swimming

First year head coach Marc Benvenuti is getting acquainted with the picturesque sunrise on the Thames River as he prepares for his morning practices in Lott Natatorium. It's the dawning of a new day in Connecticut College Aquatics and the forecast is looking bright. A five time All-American at Tufts University, Benvenuti is familiar with the competitive terrain of the NESCAC Conference. The Camels open the season in Lott Natatorium on Saturday, November 23rd against UMass Dartmouth. Here's a breakdown of the 2002-2003 Camels.

Men
2002 NESCAC Finish-11th
2001-2002 Record-4-5
Freshman Andrew Dutton of Mystic and Ledyard High School should provide steady contributions in several events. (Distance, Individual Medley, Butterfly) Freshman Alex Hoyt (Orange, CT) should be another solid performer in distance events. Senior captain Brendan Boyle (Hingham, MA) will provide leadership and is one of Benvenuti's top divers. Senior captain Pike Severance (Manchester, NH) will compete in mid-distance events. Senior Josh Garner (Glendale, WI) will swim the breaststroke. To prepare his troops mentally, Benvenuti will move his teams to South Florida for two weeks after the holidays as they prepare for conference competition in a more temperate environment.

Women
2002 NESCAC Finish-8th
2001-2002 Record-13-2
Benvenuti has some solid depth on the women's squad. Sophomore All-American Kate Kovenock (Orono, ME) is coming off an outstanding rookie season for the Camels. Kovenock finished fourth nationally in the 50 Yard freestyle competition last March. She claimed two NESCAC Championships in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle and led the Camels to a 13-2 finish last winter. Seniors Heidi Freeman (Barrington, IL) and Keri Ouellette (Sagamore Beach, MA) will serve as co-captains. Freeman will compete in diving events while Ouellette will participate in distance races. Freshman Molly Goettsche is a local product out of Clinton, CT. Goettsche will swim the backstroke and individual medley races. Another freshman that should make an impact in the breaststroke is Greenwich, CT product Kate Derr. Alexis Zukowski (Plainfield, NJ) is another newcomer who will score points in the backstroke.

8/05: Benvenuti Named Head Men's & Women's Swim Coach and Aquatics Director

NEW LONDON, Conn. --Marc Benvenuti, a former assistant coach at Princeton University and a native of Waterford, Conn., was named the men's and women's swim coach and director of aquatics at Connecticut College.

As a lead assistant coach to Princeton men's swim program for the past two years, Benvenuti's tutelage contributed to a Tiger squad that posted a lofty 17-2 (.894) mark in the Ivy League. Four Princeton swimmers advanced to the NCAA Championships and one qualified for Olympic competition in Sydney, Australia.

Benvenuti earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and environmental studies from Tufts University. A five-time All-American with the Jumbos, Benvenuti has already left his mark as one of the top swimmers in NESCAC conference history. Benvenuti still holds numerous records at Tufts, including the 50-yard butterfly, the 200-yard medley relay, and the 400-yard medley relay.

Benvenuti replaces Ken Ralph, who served as director of the Camel aquatics program the past four years. Last season, the women's program finished with a 13-2 record while the men were 4-5.