As a member of the Kenyon College (Ohio) swim team, former Old Town High School swimmer Jacob Shanley races backstroke, breaststroke and individual medley for the Lords, the number one ranked team in the most recent NCAA Division III poll.

Although presently 1-2 in dual meets with both defeats in competition against Div. I opponents, Ohio State University and Miami of Ohio, the Lords earlier this month defeated Denison University, the second ranked team in Div. III.

Shanley, a senior, has raced consistently in the early season in the 100 backstroke, recording a time of 53.6 seconds against Ohio State, 54.3 against Denison and a 54.2 against Miami. This weekend Shanley and the Lords will race at Northwestern University.

Kovenock gains Notre Dame post

Former Orono High swimmer Kate Kovenock, an assistant women’s coach at Kenyon College for four years, was appointed an assistant coach earlier this year an at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

Kovenock, all All- American at Connecticut College, had been the recruiting coordinator for the Kenyon women’s team, winners of three national titles during her four years as an assistant. The Fighting Irish are 0-2 in dual meets having lost to Purdue and to Michigan.

Mancini shows versatility

Gina Mancini, a three-year Maine Interscholastic Swimmer of the Year, continues to be a versatile swimmer competing in the freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke events for the University of Notre Dame. Her career best entering her fourth season for the Fighting Irish in the 100 free is 53.2.

Husson to host UNE

Since October 2008 when Husson University swimmers began racing under the coaching of Jeff Wren, the Eagles have established 11 school records, including two standards set last week at the Regis Invitational. Erin Doucette from Hampden and Levant’s Megan Call swam to record times in the 100 back and 50 breaststroke, respectively.

Saturday, Husson hosts the University of New England, winners of the Regis Invitational.

“It is an opportunity to see the full measure of who we are,” Wren said. “It is important that we stay focused on who we are and on what we want to accomplish.”

It will be Husson’s first look this season at its longer event program (200-yard stroke distances and the 1,000 free)

“We will see them in the majority of our remaining meets this season,” Wren said.

The former University of Maine coach added that his team is relatively inexperienced at the 200-yard racing distances. This week the Eagles have emphasized proper pacing for 200-yard distances as well as the strategies required to race smartly at 200-yard distances.

Maine set for BU Invitational

The Maine Black Bear men and women swimmers and divers compete in the three-day Boston University Invitational beginning Friday. Trials begin at 10 a.m. and the finals at 6 p.m. The most recent College Swimming Mid-Major Poll ranks the Boston University women the number one team while the BU men retain a top-10 ranking in the poll.

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