CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY 2005-2006 SEASON OUTLOOK
The Catholic University Men's and Women's Swimming Program enters its second season under Head Coach Paul VanLieshout with expectations to build on their success of the 2004-05 season.  The Cardinals finished second on both the Men's and Women's side at last season's CAC Championship after completing their first season since 1997 with undefeated conference dual meet schedules.

The Catholic Women return 14 letter-winners, 4 who earned All-CAC honors last season.  The Cards will be led by senior captain Leslie Edwards (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty), junior captain Liz McGinn ( Kingsport, TN/Dobyns) who is the school record holder in the 100 and 200 Backstroke and sophomores Olivia Chasse (Greensboro, NC/Grimsley), the school record holder in the 100 Breaststroke, Caroline Casey (Margate, NJ/Holy Spirit) in the freestyles and Lauren Wood (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks East) in the sprints.   The women return 10 women who scored last year at the conference championships, and with the return of junior Julie Platania (New York, NY/Laguardia) and the addition of freshmen Leigh Ann Scoppetuolo (Plantation, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas), Krystal Dole (Corbin, KY/Model) and Jackie Kivitz (Havertown, PA/Archbishop Carroll), the Catholic women look to continue their improvement in the conference standings.

The Men are led by senior captain and 1st Team All-Conference performer Paul Czar (Egg Harbor Township/Egg Harbor) and sophomore 1st Team All-Conference swimmer Reik Foust (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty).  The men return 6 letter-winners, and with the return of senior James Sanders (Belle Harbor, NY/Archbishop Malloy) from injury, the men's team hopes to continue it's run of 16 consecutive years finishing either 1st or 2nd in the CAC Championships.  Freshmen Andrew Kalna (Stafford, VA/Mother of Divine Grace), Rory Walker (Ridgefield, CT/Ridgefield) and RJ Peterson (New York, NY/Xavier), along with rest of the freshmen class look to add depth to a squad which lost 3 All-Conference performers to graduation.

The Cardinal's schedule this season has been strengthened considerably with the addition of 5 Division I and 1 Division II opponents.  Along with the recently completed Phase I renovations of the facility, the addition of Connie VanLieshout to full-time assistant coach, and tremendous support of the CUA community, the 2005-06 season shapes up to be one of continued success for the Cardinal swimmers.


2004-05 Swim Season Wrap Up

WASHINGTON (May 25, 2005) -- The Catholic University men's and women's swim team placed 14 swimmers on the Capital Athletic Conference All-Academic teams.

On the women's side, the following swimmers received the honor: freshmen Katie Bates, Caroline Casey, Olivia Chasse, Samantha McClellan and Kelly Minor; sophomores Kelly Danz, Liz McGinn and Erin Neill, junior Leslie Edwards and senior Kate Toye.

On the men's side, sophomore Chris Totten, juniors Paul Czar and Greg Thibault and senior Tim Creazzo earned recognition.

At the year-ending Senior Student-Athlete Awards Banquet, Tim Creazzo was named the winner of the Harris Cup, the highest honor bestowed on a CUA male student-athlete, who has demonstrated academic excellence and outstanding athletic achievement while exhibiting significant service and leadership qualities.

Also at the banquet, Kathy Jenko was named Senior Female Athlete of the Year in recognition of outstanding athletic achievements -- including her 2005 CUA record-setting CAC title in the 200 freestyle and anchor position on the record-setting 400 medley relay team -- over a four-year period.

CUA swimming has also announced its 2005-06 schedule. For the first time, there will be an Alumni Meet scheduled for Friday, October 14. Other notable home meets include: George Washington University and American University on October 28-29, defending CAC Champions the University of Mary Washington on November 4 and Senior Day with Goucher College and Gallaudet University on January 21.

2005-06 Swimming Schedule

Catholic University of America
2005-06 Women's Swim Team

*denotes captain

Catholic University of America
2005-06 Men's Swim Team

Head Coach:  Paul VanLieshout
Asst. Coaches: Toby Shannon, Connie VanLieshout 

*denotes captain