The Misericordia swimming program will look to build off a 2008-09 season that ranked as perhaps the best in school history. The men's and women's teams combined to break 18 school records, and the women won the school's first conference championship in the sport by winning the MAC championship meet.

Head Coach Jason Morini is entering his sixth season in charge at Misericordia. The Cougars have rewritten the record books in each of his first five seasons and both teams now have aspirations of establishing themselves as leaders in the MAC.

Morini is joined by the 2008-09 MAC women's Coaching Staff of the Year- Misericordia alum and former men's team MVP Ed Halloran, and Penn State All-American Nikki Collins.

The women will be led by three seniors- Abby Kocon, Michelle Lacroce and Juliann Barrington. Kocon was the team MVP in 2008-09 and was MAC champion in both the 50 and 100 freestyle. Lacroce finished second in the 100 fly, and McBride won the team Coach's Award.

Jessica Grant, the 2008-09 MAC Rookie of the Year, returns after placing in the top three in three events at MACs (200, 500, and 1650 free). Also returning for the women are juniors Alicia Bryk (second in the 100 free at MACs), Danni Basile, Cristen Condus, Katlyn Nelson and Aubree Petrone; and sophomores Megan McChesny, Chelsea Mixon, Abbey Ramsey and Laura Rinehimer.

“The most important thing with the women is our depth,” said Morini, “I expect multiple swimmers to score crucial points for us this season.”

Freshmen Molly Berky, Brianna Hiltey, Kiana Ramirez and Lindsey Young will join the squad for 2009-10.

“Despite losing some of our most recognizable names, our goals have not changed,” said Morini. “Top to bottom, this is a tougher, harder-working team than in the past.”

After placing third at MACs with just 12 competitors, the men now have 17 swimmers which should allow them to grab more points at championship meets in 2009-10.

The team is led by Jeff Clark, the MAC champion in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, and Greg Vossler, also a MAC champion in the 50 free.

Clark is currently the school record holder in the 100 and 200 breast, the 200 IM, and three relays. He is a two-time Misericordia team MVP.

Other returnees include Nick Cannizzaro, Brendan Dougherty, Michael Dougherty, Paul Egbert, Kyle Geier, Mike Labagh, and Eric Schollmeyer.

This year's rookie class includes Nicholas Ametrano, Chris Brozena, Adam Grzech, Colton Herb, Vince Paone, Sal Paschall and Daniel Zuckerman, along with sophomore transfer Eric Thomas. “We have a really strong freshman class on the men's side,” said Morini. “It might be the strongest we've ever brought in.”

In 2009-10, both teams will be looking to compete at the top of the MAC standings. Morini also lists having an NCAA qualifier as one of the squad's biggest goals for the season. “As the program continues to grow, so do our ambitions,” said Morini.

“Some would look at the women's title as the pinnacle for our program, but we don't see it that way. We think there's more out there for us to accomplish.”