Swim teams unify under new coach

                                               Head Coach Scott Whitbeck.  Photo courtesy of New Paltz Athletics.

As the men's and women's swim team embark on their 2008-2009 season, they do so under new leadership.  Scott Whitbeck, 26, takes over as head coach of both teams, replacing former women's coach Brian Williams, who is now the Associate Athletic Director, and former men's coach Dan Talleyrand.  "We've essentially combined the programs," said Whitbeck.  He stated further that having a single head coach for both squads is very common at the Division III level, and even exists, although rarely, at Division I programs.  

This is Whitbeck's first head coaching position.  He's been an assistant coach for the past four years, most recently at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and before that at the College of Wooster in Ohio.  A native of Michigan, Whitbeck excelled in the pool at Division III Kalamazoo College, becoming a 12-time NCAA All-American and his team's Most Valuable Swimmer in 2004.

With practices beginning late last month, Whitbeck has introduced a more challenging schedule.  Joelle Hopf, 21, one of the captains of the women's team, said her team normally swam one a day and did a so-called dry-land workout three days a week.  This year they're swimming twice a day, with only one day off.  "It's more than we're used to," she stated.  Hopf also added that Whitbeck has introduced the use of heart rate monitors.  The captains of the men's team, Brian Bennett and Stephen Cozzolongo, 20, also talked of greater and more rigorous practices.  

Both the men, who finished fourth in the SUNYAC last year, and the women, who finished runner-up in the conference, look to start the season strong when they travel to Hartwick College on October 31 for their first meet.  The Hawks' first home meet is on November 7 against Oneonta.  It will begin at 4:00 p.m. in Elting Gym.