Two of the University of Maine’s elite swimmers, Jeremy Bender and Samantha Bond, have been inducted into two prestigious UMaine honor societies.
Bender, a junior from St. Paul, Minn., was inducted into the Senior Skulls, while Bond, a junior from Yemple, N.H., joined the All Maine Women’s Society.
“This a tremendous recognition of two wonderful people. I am very proud of both of them. You could not find two better role models for our community,” Blake James, Maine’s athletic director, stated.
The Senior Skull, which began in 1906, honors males who exemplify outstanding academic achievement, leadership, character, integrity and responsibility. Entering the Senior Skulls is regarded as the most distinguished honor an undergraduate male can receive at the university.
Started in 1925, the All Maine Women’s Society recognizes females who display the ideals, standards and traditions of UMaine women. The award is the highest all-inclusive honor bestowed by the university.
Bender returned from a semester of marine science study in Australia in December and then trained multiple sessions a day during the second semester preparing for the America East Championships. At the AE championship, Bender toppled the oldest record of the Black Bears, the 400 individual medley, set in 1978 by Don Winant.
Following Bender’s AE performance, interim head coach Suzie Lizzotte commented, “He is tough in the pool. He is tough in the classroom as a student and he is tough in his races. He works extremely hard.”
A New Hampshire native, Bond was voted Maine’s Most Improved swimmer in 2007-2008. Now, as a junior, she has been named one of three captains for next year. During the recently completed season, Bond competed in the sprint freestyle and sprint butterfly. Like Bender, Bond studies in the marine science program at the university.
In addition to Bender and Bond, several other Black Bear swimmers received awards at the annual team banquet held earler this week. Recipients include: Switzer Award: Michael Copossela and Katelyn Hunt; Most Valuable: Jen Trodden and Bender; Most Improved: Alice McBride and Ryan Wonsor; Palmer Academic Award: Bond and Bender; Chandler Comeback Award: Meag Fisher and Samantha Graham; Senior Service Award: Meg McLean and Nissa Marione.
Lizzotte announced captains for 2010-11. For the men, Bender will join Wonsor and Dan Macdonald, and Bond will serve with Sara Knight and Caitlyn Shelley for the women.
Roberts to chair swim search
James said Associate Athletic Director Joe Roberts will chair the search committee for the swimming and diving head coaching position at the university. While the position has not yet been posted, James explained the university continues to process the internal steps required to post the position.
The completion of this internal process is in the final stages, he noted. James added that a search committee has been finalized anticipating the posting of the position.
Lizzotte was named interim head coach for the Black Bears in October 2009 following the sudden and unanticipated resignation of Walter Nitardy. Lizzotte had served as an assistant to Nitardy as well as to Jeff Wren, founder of the UMaine women’s team.
Lizzotte was a stand out swimmer for Wren and the Black Bears.
James explained that the swim teams, like all athletic teams at the university, will be affected by the budget challenges facing the university.
“Yes, we are all impacted. We are in tough economic times,” James commented.
He did suggest that while all programs will face budget reductions, the athletic department is in a better position this year as a result of the decisions a year ago to suspend men’s soccer and volleyball. At the time of the sports’ suspensions in June, the athletic department projected first-year savings of approximately $600,000 and then annual savings of approximately $900,000.
In addition to Bender and Bond, several other Black Bear swimmers received awards at the annual team banquet held earler this week. Recipients include: Switzer Award: Michael Copossela and Katelyn Hunt; Most Valuable: Jen Trodden and Bender; Most Improved: Alice McBride and Ryan Wonsor; Palmer Academic Award: Bond and Bender; Chandler Comeback Award: Meag Fisher and Samantha Graham; Senior Service Award: Meg McLean and Nissa Marione.
Lizzotte announced captains for 2010-11. For the men, Bender will join Wonsor and Dan Macdonald, and Bond will serve with Sara Knight and Caitlyn Shelley for the women.