Of all the major conferences, the Big East offers the widest variety - private schools, public universities, scholarships, non-scholarships, hotshot new coaches, seasoned veterans, academic giants and jock schools - the Big East has them all. The Big East could also prove one of the most dynamic in the country.  The Notre Dame men have emerged as a major player on the national scene.  Young bucks like Sergio Lopez (West Virginia), Arthur Albiero (Louisville), and Carrie Nixon (Notre Dame), with their first recruiting classes under their belts, are looking to shake things up, but seasoned veterans like Chuck Knoles (Pittsburgh), Chuck Warner (Rutgers) and Monty Hopkins (Cincinnati) all know what it takes to get their teams to the elite levels.  The imposition of squad size restrictions should level the playing field making predictions impossible.  It wouldn't be impossible to see the top half of the conference within just a couple hundred points of one another.

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Notre Dame
Head Coach: Women: Carrie Nixon (2^nd Season); Men: Tim Welsh (22^nd Season)
Big East Finish:  Women: 1st of 11; Men: 1st of 11
NCAA Finish: Women: 41^st; Men: -

It has not been the luck of the Irish, the Notre Dame women have simply been dominant in the Big East. Last season, the Irish kicked past Rutgers-by a mere 18 points-to claim its 10^th straight conference crown. Now with the return of several veterans, including seniors Julia Quinn, Jessica Stephens, Ellen Johnson, Rebecca Grove, Ann Barton and Katie Carroll, everyone is going to be after their “lucky charms.” The Notre Dame women will also benefit from the addition of 14 newcomers. The incoming freshmen include nine freestylers, five butterflyers, two breaststrokes, two IM swimmers, three backstrokers and three divers. The group is highlighted by Massachusetts native Meghan Farrell, New York native Keri Masterson, Florida natives Stacy Nedrud and Zeina Shanata, California native Lexi Shue and Maine native Gina Mancini. Ferrell and Shanata have come near the 1:49 mark in the 200 free, with Farrell already going a swift 100 fly (55:48). Mancini’s times in the 50 free (23.60) and 100 breast (1:04.60) would have already qualified her for a Big East final. Masterson also brings talent in the freestyle and butterfly events (55.26 100 fly and 23.82 50 free), while Nedrud is knocking on the door of a 1:59 200 back. The Big East distance events will be threatened as Shue has already posted swift times in the 500 (4:51.11) and mile (16:33).

The Irish men also needed no luck last season as they captured their second consecutive Big East title. This year the goals are the same, but never as easy. “We are hoping to win our 3rd consecutive BIG EAST title, which won't be easy, with multiple athletes qualifying for the NCAA Championships in March,” said men’s associate head coach Matt Tallman. In preparation for a third straight title, the men will rely on impact swimmers, Tim Kegelman, a former NCAA qualifier in 100 fly, breaststroker Sam Pendergast, diver Michael Bulfin and distance star Jay Vanden Berg. The Irish will also add several newcomers with Olympic Trial cuts. Of the which include, Tyler Angelo, who should make an immediate impact in the breaststroke events, Andrew Deters, a distance specialist, and butterfly swimmers MacKenzie LeBlanc and Raymond Toomey.

In all, the Notre Dame men are in prime position to make it a three-peat.

“We are looking to improve year after year like any other team,” Tallman said. “We seem to have the talent to continue that trend and are excited about the upcoming season. The team has set a lot of goals, both realistic and lofty, and they are ready to work towards them starting in September.”

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University of Pittsburgh
Head Coach: Chuck Knoles (16^th season)
Big East Finish:  Women: 3rd of 11; Men: 2nd of 11
NCAA Finish: Women: -; Men: -

Graduation has taken its toll on the University of Pittsburgh. The team had a great season last year, but lost big point contributors in Jordan Wallace, Kelly Redcay, Amy Miteff, Darryl Washington, Thomas Bird, Michael Bernardi and Jason Miller. In all, three seniors from both squads will return for the 2006-2007 season. Two impact seniors returning will be Kristin Brown and Jeff Leath. Brown (200 free) and Leath (100 back) both earned a NCAA bid last year after winning their respective events at the Big East championships. Signed on to replace the seniors are recruits butterfly ace Geoffrey Morgan, sprinter Renè Hijorth of Denmark, Adam Plutecki of Poland, divers Hanna Bratton and Margo Ekstrom, Agnes Mago of Hungary, sprinters Tiffany Malatesta and Sara Sullivan and backstroker Lisa McDonnell. Mago is a transfer from Radford University, where she won three Northeast Conference Championships, set two conference meet records and won Rookie of the Meet honors. Mago is also nationally ranked in Hungary. Another international standout, Plutecki, was a member of the Polish National Team and most recently competed for Poland at the 2005 World University Games. Plutecki is expected to make an immediate impact in the mid-distance free, breast and IM events. Malatesta and Sullivan are perfect replacements for Wallace and Redcay. Both girls have already shown talent in the 50 and 100 free events.

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West Virginia University
Head Coach: Sergio Lopez (2^nd Season)
Big East Finish:  Women: 8th of 11; Men: 3^rd of 11
NCAA Finish: Men: 30^th ; Women: -

West Virginia’s men’s team had an exciting season last year by sending five swimmers to the NCAA Championships and placing third at the Big East Championships, its highest finish to date. Due to their efforts, head coach Sergio Lopez was named the conference Coach of the Year after his second season with the team. The 2005-2006 season was filled with excitement, though, West Virginia will take a large blow this season when it will loose Big East Swimmer of the Year and team leader Chris Hagendorn. Hagedorn capped his final season by capturing six Big East titles at last years championships. Highlighting his efforts was his 100 free title, breaking a 20-year old school record in a time of 44.48. Hagendorn also captured the 50 free in 19.57, setting new conference school record. Set to replace Hagedorn is rising junior Nick Delic and senior Kyle Williams. Both men have shown strong potential in the free events. Also returning is 200 fly Big East champ Pablo Marmolejo. Competing with Marmolejo next year will be 100 fly Big East champ Andrew Langenfeld and Eduardo Ramirez. Taking the helm in the backstroke events will be Michael Walker, while Felipe Cunha, Delic and Casey Becwith will lead the breast disciples.

For the women, Isabel Perez, Megan Carlson and Meghan Fiene look to return and should be strong providers in the breaststroke events. Taylor Stallings will help lead the backstrokers. The free events will be managed by returning junior Maritza Paredes and sophomore Rachel Fedyk, while Tina Gabrillo and Fiene both look to lead both IM distances.

The Mountaineer men also secured a spectacular recruiting class highlighted by multiple-time YMCA National Champion Justin Galbreath, National Junior team member Sean Mahoney and Hungarians Zoltan Pvazsai and Janos Szabo.

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Rutgers University
Head Coach: Chuck Warner (10th Season)
Big East Finish:  Women: 2nd of 11; Men: 4th of 11
NCAA Finish:  Women: 18^th Men: -

Finishing just 18 points shy of a conference championship, the women of Rutgers had their highest ever Big East finish. The Scarlet Knights continued the momentum at the NCAA Championships were they also had a school high, 18^th place finish. Indeed it was a banner year for the team, but this year Rutgers will be without NCAA finalist and All-American backstroker Kelly Harrigan, who will be lost to graduation. Harrigan had a phenomenal final swim at last year’s NCAAs by finishing third in the 200 back. Harrigan had seen the NCAA final two other consecutive times. The loss will be strong, but sophomores to be Cat Whetstone and Madison Kennedy (NCAA finalist) have both been fine apprentices to take her reins. Kennedy had a banner year last season by claiming two titles at the Big East Championships and breaking two school records (50 free, 22.56 and 100 free, 49.33) in the process. Rutgers also benefited from relays last season by claiming every single relay title at the Big East championships. Returning relay members include Laura Wright, Ashley Dunphy, Alyson Parent, Katie Kuczmarkski and Sarah Bicknell.

Entering Rutgers will be standouts Kim Case (breast), Denise Letendre (IM), Hailey Weniger (free), Tracy Dimond (mid distance free), Alexandra Allen (sprints), Gina Middleton (sprints) and Jacklyn Klein (fly).

Like the women, the men also return many notable athletes. Returning will be Bobby Daplyn, Steve Miller, Scott Thompson, Zach Shimota, Andy Dilz, Larry Rosa and Josh Griffey. Rutgers will also benefit from incoming freshmen Walter Pryor (breast and IM) and Tyson Slesnick (free and IM). The biggest challenge for the Scarlet Knights who have been slated for elimination.  You can get the latest news on the preservation of this storied program at www.saverutgerswimming.org.

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University of Louisville
Head Coach: Arthur Albiero (3rd Season)
Big East Finish:  Women: 4th of 11; Men: 6th of 11
NCAA Finish: Men: 41^st; Women: -

The University of Louisville had somewhat of breakout year last season due in part to Vali Preda. The sophomore from Romania dominated the Big East championships by winning his three prime events: 200 IM, 100 and 200 breast. Preda also became second fastest freshman in the nation in the 200 breast after a stellar 13^th place finish at the NCAA Championships. He is currently ranked No. 21 in the world in the 100-meter breaststroke. Preda will be joined by backstroker and fellow Romanian Andrei Teudean, as well as distance ace and South African Charlton Lawson. The Cardinals still lack a butterfly and sprint freestyle specialist. However Tyler Smith or Matt Maley could fill the void.

For the women, the Cardinals return a large middle distance freestyle hub in Leslie VanWinkle, Melanie Greyling and Ashley Jackson. The Cardinal women lacked a true sprinter and distance specialist, but with the return of the three ladies and the signing of Lake Erie Silver Dolphin Laura Clark, Swim Atlanta’s Amanda Henleben and Minnesota native Elizabeth Halet, diversity will be key. VanWinkle is also the returning Big East 200 IM champion. Louisville will also return 100 breast Big East champion Heather Meng. Abby Miller will return to add some help in the butterfly and IM events. Backstroke plagued the team last season, but with the signing of backstroker Alana Berrocal, the daughter of former Puerto Rico Olympian and NCAA Champion Carlos Berrocal, potential is there.

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University of Cincinnati
Head Coach: Monty Hopkins (19th Season)
Big East Finish:  Women: 7th of 11; Men: 5th of 11
NCAA Finish: Women: - Men: -

It has been a long time coming, but the University of Cincinnati finally has a pool to call home. Recently completed and ready for competition the Keating Aquatics Center features an eight-lane, 50-meter swimming course with an integrated diving well. In the past the Bearcats had to go off campus and train in nearby facilities. Rarely did the team get to train together. The Bearcats will get a chance to host the first invitational of the year, appropriately titled the Grand Opening Invitational. The Bearcats will be at full strength minus the aid of Ann Degenstein. Leading the ladies last season, Degenstein claimed both butterfly events last year at the Big East Championships. Degenstein was also the lone representative for the Bearcats at the NCAA championships, where she finished 23^rd in the 100 fly and 28^th in the 200 fly. Returning for the Bearcat women will be Big East finalist Gerdien de Jong, Karen Braiser, Paola Rivas and Randi Vogel. Braiser looks to be the go to butterfly to fill the void left by Degenstein. The Bearcats failed last year to provide a finalist in the IM or breaststroke events. After a year of learning the ropes, sophomore Annelie Jonsson might be able to provide some needed help in those areas.

The men will be without sprinters David Gustasson and Ryan Yearwood. Yearwood and Gustasson were the only two Bearcat men to swim in a butterfly event at the Big East Champs. Gustasson was also an IM specialist who placed fifth in the 200 IM at last season’s Big East Championships. Right behind Gustasson is up and coming sophomore Jakub Carda. Better at the longer IM, Carda took some heat in last year’s 200 IM, but will have to fill the missing points from Gustasson. Also returning for the men will be breaststroker Steve Marshall, backstroker Bjorn Mates and freestyler Marcel Kleiner.

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University of Connecticut
Head Coach: Bob Goldberg (18^th season)
Big East Finish: Women: 6th of 11; Men: 7th of 11
NCAA Finish: Women: - Men: -

The University of Connecticut has always been one of tradition, and this year is no exception. “UCONN has been consistently competitive in the Big East Conference for many years,” said head coach Bob Goldberg. “With the development and expansion of the conference we are maintaining our position as one of the top teams with individual Conference Champions every year. We also hope to continue to bring swimmers to NCAA's, US Open and Senior National meets.” Last year the Huskies were led primarily by underclassmen and look to increase on their sixth and seventh place conference finish from a year ago. Returning for the women are Lisa Shelps, Danielle Sanders, Emily Karel, Sarah Kearns, Audrey Prior, Kristalynn Kempton and Katie DeVinney. The men will lose NCAA qualifier Ryan Smith to graduation, but will return Tristen Jones, Abed Kaaki and Adrain Astiz.

To add to the relatively young roster, UCONN also signed Steve Kustra from Pennsylvania and Jon Wong from Canada. The women inked Lia Scamato from home state Connecticut, Sam O'Donnell, also from Connecticut and Christie Swanepoel from South Africa. “With the maturity of last season's very young team, UCONN looks for outstanding performances at the conference meet this season and consistently high finishes for both teams,” said Goldberg.

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Villanova University
Head Coach: Rick Simpson (7^th Season)
Big East Finish:  Women: 5th of 11; Men: 10^th of 11
NCAA Finish: Women: -; Men: -

The women of Villanova swam to an impressive fifth place finish at the Big East Championships last season. This year, the women have lost few seniors and look to improve on their 2006 finish. Villanova will lose one big senior standout in Kiersten Rosenberg. Rosenberg helped the Wildcats in the 100 free, back and fly events. Jesse Radtke and Marlee Morden are set to fill the space in the free events, while Kristina Lennox is set to take over in the fly. The one area lacking for Villanova is a strong backstroker to take the reigns. Tulane transfer Tiffany Brown could make an impact in the back events. Brown also has a talent in freestyle. Picking up in the freestyle events is three-time Big East champ and NCAA qualifier Jenny Somerville. The distance freestyler won the mile last season at the conference champs and took 23^rd at the NCAA Championships. Joining Somerville is Kaitlynn Osborn and Lennox in the free events. Villanova also returns a full set of ladies in the breast events with Brie Von Rosendahl, Kerri McIlvain and Caitlyn Regan. Regan also had a standout year in the IM events with teammate Annie Kelley.

The Villanova men had only one solo point contributor in last years Big East Championships. Dave Drysdale was that guy and he returns to contribute more in the breast events. Last year, Drysdale placed 14^th in the 200 breast at the conference champs. With this season being his final year, watch for Drysdale to add more points to the board.

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Syracuse University
Head Coach: Lou Walker (31^st season)
Big East Finish:  Women: 9th of 11; Men: 8^th of 11
NCAA Finish: Men: 46^th ; Women: -

Senior to be Luk Boral of Poland led the Orange Pride last season with three points at the NCAA Championships. Boral finished 14th in a time of 1:58.64 in the 200 breast and obtained honorable mention All-American status. He also broke a school record in the prelims (1:58.07) in the same event. Boral will be the standout for Syracuse heading into the 2006-2007 season. The one swimmer that stands in his way is Louisville swimmer Vali Preda. The men will be without Rob Persico, Ryan Caponera and Gus Araujo. Returning swimmers Wes Matson (free), Matt Brock (free and back), Matt Gerlach (distance) and Peter Gollandis (IM) are expected to fill the void.

For the women of Orange, Syracuse returns an impressive squad. The women will be without freestyler Lisa Wittich, however sophomore Erin Homewood is a year older and can possibly replace the middle distance swimmer. Sophomores Catrina Roth and Sarah Manning both come back to compete in the back events. In the breast events, Syracuse will be at full strength with Dani Stein, Katie Maaske and Anette Hoye returning. For the butterfly events, Petra Zavadilova and Vanessa Duenas are expected to lead the team. Duenas, who set a school record last year in the 400 IM is also expected to contributed points in the individual medley events with Homewood.

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Seton Hall University
Head Coach: Ron Farina
Big East Finish:  Women: 10th of 11; Men: 9^th of 11
NCAA Finish: Men: - ; Women: -

Seton Hall enters the 2006-07 campaign with aims of improving on their 9^th and 10^th place finishes for the men and women.  Doing so will largely rest with the ability of freshmen to step in and contribute right away.  Just three of six conference scorers return for the upcoming campaign.  Ashley Joshnson leads the way for the women.  She finalled at the league meet in both the 200 fly and 400 IM and also added a consolation finish in the 200 IM.  Michelle Ducharme will lead the distance corps after finishing 7^th in the mile at last year’s meet.  For the men, breaststroker Angelo D’Errico and and flyer Hidenaga Murakami.  Thirteen of the thirty-seven student athletes are newcomers and coach Farina will need to have them come through to make a dent in an increasingly-competitive. 

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University of Georgetown
Head Coach: Bethany Bower (11^th season)
Big East Finish:  Women: 11th of 11; Men: 11th of 11
NCAA Finish: Women: - ; Men: -

Finishing at the bottom of the conference is never a team goal. However with a petite and young roster (one junior men and three senior women in 2005-2006), Georgetown did what they could and set seven school records by the end of the season. Georgetown also managed to send a record setting 20 athletes to the Big East Championships. The Hoyas had not sent more than one swimmer since 2002 when they sent 11 student-athletes. Returning for the improving Hoyas is Caitlin Colling, Liz Nugent, Claire Nugent and Laura Sytnyk. For the men, the Hoyas return Goran Bistric, who set two school records last season in both backstroke events.

Helping to support the team last season, the divers faired well and finished their season with a fourth place finish at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships. For the women, Katie Oldham, Jessica Rettig and Bella Schori will return, while Michael McWilliams will be the lone diver for the men.

Georgetown men were able to increase its roster a tad by adding seven freshmen for a total of 14 athletes, while the women 11 freshmen for a total of 25 athletes. It looks like Georgetown will boast another small roster, but the potential is there for a slight impact at the Big East Champs.

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Providence College
Head Coach: Jonathan Caswell (4^th Season)
Big East Finish:  Men - ; Women -
NCAA Finish: Men - ; Women -

With no scholarship money and little representation at the Big East championship, Providence swimmers simply compete for the love of the sport. In fact Providence only sent one athlete in Annie Nemeth to the conference championships. The senior to be competed in three events at the meet, including the 200 IM, 100 and 200 breaststroke. Nemeth placed 34th IM with a time of 2:12.07, 33rd in the 100 breast with a time of 1:08.56, and 22nd in the 200 breast with a time of 2:25.42. Not too bad considering she was the lone representative. Nemeth returns this year and looks to be back, but this time to compete for a spot in the finals. Not to be over shadowed, fellow senior teammate Katelyn Flynn also had a successful season last year, by winning the 400 IM in a meet-record time of 4:30.79 at the Metropolitan Collegiate. Her efforts led her to be named the female swimmer of the meet. Flynn also placed second in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:07.25 and third in the 200 IM with a time of 2:10.64. Both girls are expected to contribute heavily in the team’s goals, which is to score at the Big East Championships. Helping to contribute will also be Blair Flynn, Tom McLoughlin and Ryan Clark. Providence will also have 14 new additions with standouts Carrie Lamb, Julia Pandolfo, Mathew Card and Tim Reily leading the pack, as well as two new male divers, a first for the team.  “Without any athletic scholarships, we have improved each year for 4 years, and this should be our best year by far,” said head coach Jonathan Caswell.