PRIDE GET READY TO FACE TCCC IN INVITATIONAL

Weston, Mass.—The Regis College swimming and diving program will enter its last meet Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 before the fall semester ends Dec. 22. Competing in The Commonwealth Coast Conference Invitational at Roger Williams University.

Regis will compete against six women’s teams, and five men’s programs from the TCCC. The program has grown in numbers on both sides since Mike Kotch, head coach of Regis College swimming and diving, joined the program in 2008.

Expectations tend to run higher in preparation for a major invitational meet.

“We’re prepared,” said Breda O’Connor, assistant swimming and diving coach.

“We’re a small team, but we’ve been challenging the team and they have stepped up.”

Some of the Pride’s members are certainly giving both sides of the program a substantial boost in the pool.

Freshman Nick Yerzyk has the third best times this season in the 50-yard freestyle (25.94 seconds) and 100 free (58.26) respectively. Andy Laforest, also a freshman, holds the top time in both the 50 and 100 freestyle, as well as the 50 and 100 butterfly.

Laforest set records in the 100-freestyle (53.82) and 100-butterfly (59.81) earlier this season. He is also a member of the 200-medley team that set a record time of 1:41.32 against Roger Williams Oct. 31.

Christina Estrada has also been showing great promise for the Regis College swimming future. Estrada holds the top time in nine different events, and posted a 2:30.55 in the 200 backstroke against a competitive St. Joseph’s of Maine program.

Estrada reached second place in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:52, just missing first place by six seconds. She could likely take first place in the invitational, as she will face the same opponent at the invitational.

The team will be done with its first half of competitions following the meet on Saturday. “We’ll still be practicing during the break,” said O’Connor.

“The plan is to pick up the intensity, they’re college athletes and we expect them to keep themselves in shape.”

Regis will return to the water following the holiday season Jan. 12 and Jan. 13.