SCSU Swimming finishes strong

Matthew Borelli, Special to the Southern News-
The 2010-2011 swimming and diving season has gone just as it always does for Southern Connecticut State University, successful.
“So far, so good,” said junior Matthew Sorena, who swims the individual medley and butterfly.
The men’s swimming team, despite losing three of their last four meets, have had several bright spots in the season.  The strong trio of Sorena, Austin Mizzell and Miguel Nesrala, all juniors, have all had excellent showings in their individual races and all have endured great success.  In the latest meet against Queens College, Mizzell won both the 50 and 100 freestyle events along with swimming a leg in the 200 medley, which Southern finished with a time of 1:40:74.
“I have been feeling good all swim season,” said Mizzell.
Mizzell also took home the first place finish in the 200 breaststroke in meets against West Chester and Marist, in which he posted times of 2:07:18 and 2:12:69 respectively.
Sorena has also posted first place finishes in the 1650 freestyle and the 200 individual medley in a meet earlier this month against West Chester.  The 1650 freestyle was finished in 16:15:60, while the medley finished in less than two minutes with 1:59:60.
“I feel that I have exceeded some of my expectations,” said Sorena, an education major.  “This weekend I am just trying to go out and earn my way to Nationals.”
Coach Tim Quill, a 10 time Northeast-10 conference coach of the year award winner, has his team ready and determined for this weekend’s upcoming Northeast-10 championships being held at Southern Feb. 4-6.
“He is preparing us for a title,” said Sorena.  “He has me pumped up for this weekend and he is preparing us to perform at our best on the big stage.”
The Women’s team has also been performing at a high level.  Amanda Thomas, an Oakville native, has posted first place finishes in the 400 individual medley and the 100 fly in action against West Chester.  She also was selected as Northeast-10 Women’s swimmer of the week on January 18 for her performance in meets against Connecticut College and Marist in which she posted six first place finishes.
“The diving season has gone pretty well,” said Amanda Burden, a junior diver.  “We have a lot of talented, dedicated divers fighting for the Owls this year,” said Burden, who contributed first place marks in one and three meter diving with a score of 246.45 in the Connecticut College meet.  “Three of the divers have already qualified for nationals and all of us have reached our career high scores this season.”
Sophomore Nicole Caron was named to the Northeast-10 weekly honor roll.  Caron finished first in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:17.25. She was also a part of the 200-medley relay team that finished in first place with a time of 1:59.03.
Coach Quill has his diving team ready to go for this big weekend as well, just as he has all season long.
“Our coaches are really supportive and push us to to our limits, which is sometimes tough but we understand why they push us that hard,” said Burden.  “They are really devoted to making us the best that we can be.”