Colby College
Office of Alumni Relations
4310 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901-8843
P: 207-859-4310
F: 207-859-4316
alumni@colby.edu
 

Winter Previews

Last year's women's alpine skiing ended the season with Abbi Lathrop '06 winning the national NCAA Division I giant slalom championship in Steamboat Springs. This year seniors Ashley Best and McKenzie Wessen and juniors Alissa Consenstein and Brett Wagenheim bring experience to the 2007 campaign.

Following the graduation of Charlie Reed '06, who went to the nationals all four years, a new generation of men’s alpine skiers steps up. Jody Centauro '08 placed 16th in slalom at the national championships last year and had four top-10 finishes during the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association season. Ryan Praskievicz '07, Jack Malia '08, Sam Witherspoon '09, and Christian Talmage '09 bring depth to the team.

Both men's and women's Nordic skiing had top-five finishes in 2006, and, with many skiers returning, expectations are even higher for 2007. Kathleen Maynard '09, who has excelled in cross-country running and Nordic skiing, had the top Colby finish in the Williams Carnival 10-kilometer freestyle to help the Mules place a strong fourth in that event. For the men, seniors Fred Bailey and Jeff Alden will lead the way. Bailey had three top-15 finishes in 2006, including one at the  Eastern meet. Juniors John Swain and Austin Ross also return.
 
Tracy Nale '07
 
Tracy Nale '07
After adjusting to a new coaching staff and system last season, women's basketball returned to postseason play, and improvement is expected to continue in 2006-07. Twelve players including eight starters return for head coach Lori Gear McBride. Veteran guards are led by Laura Williamson '07 (3.3 ppg) and Tracy Nale '07 (8.3 ppg.) and include Regina Wohl '08 (7.1 ppg.), Tanya Rosbash '08 (3.9 ppg.), Kathleen Nicholson '08 (1.7 ppg.), Courtney Williams '09 (4.6 ppg.), and Katie Harris '08. Up front, first-year players Beth Bartley and Alison Cappelloni both will see minutes reinforcing an offense anchored by Katie McCabe '09 (12.6 ppg., 6.9 rpg.), who will be the focus of opposing defenses. Others returning to the front court include Lauren Duval '09 (3.3 ppg.) along with Molly Rice '07 and Jackie Grady '08, who were both hampered by injuries last year.
 
With the return of eight letter winners, seven of whom started at some point, men’s basketball has realistic expectations for continued growth in 2006-07. Since Colby plays in one of the most competitive Division III conferences in the nation, the challenges are obvious. The schedule includes three in-season tournaments, including the Maine Event over New Year's, as well as an early-season game versus NCAA Division I Davidson.

Nineteen players from last year's women's ice hockey team return this year, only one of them, Lindsay Tedeschi (4 goals), a senior. Among the talented veterans is Laura Anning '09, who led the team in scoring (20 goals, 16 assists) and earned all-NESCAC first-team honors in her first year. Other top-scorers returning as sophomores are Rebecca Julian (15 goals, 11 assists), Amanda Comeau (6 goals, 13 assists), Heather Nickerson (6 goals, 9 assists), Nicole Crocker (6 goals, 7 assists), Colette Finley (5 goals, 8 assists), and Laura Clemson (7 goals, 4 assists). Genevieve Triganne '08 won 12 games and had a .918 save percentage to earn NESCAC second-team honors in goal. Lauren Goethals '08 (10 assists) and Marissa Mullane '08 (6 assists) led the defense. Caroline Voyles '08 and Victoria Work '08 also return on defense.
 
Greg Osborne '07
 
Greg Osborne '07
With a corps of key players returning, men's ice hockey head coach Jim Tortorella should once again field one of the top NESCAC teams. Goaltender Ben Grandjean '07 returns after posting a .916 save percentage and a 9-5-1 overall record. He'll play behind a solid defense led by Arthur Fritch '08, Joe Rothwell '08, and Ryan Chrenek '08. Fritch, despite missing three games with an injury, earned all-conference honors. Forwards T.J. Kelley '08 and Josh Reber '08 were two of the top scorers in Division III hockey. Kelley led the team with 16 goals and 24 assists; Reber finished the season with six goals and 32 assists. Captain Greg Osborne '07 was a force on the power play and was consistent with 17 goals and 15 assists. Patrick Rutherford '07 also will be a key player on offense.
 
With at least 20 matches from November to March, both men's and women's squash expect intense seasons playing against NESCAC, ECAC, and Ivy League schools. Important weekend competitions for the women include the Wesleyan Event (December 1-3), the Yale Event (January 12-13), the Maine Event (January 19-21), the Smith Event (January 26-28), the NESCAC Championships (February 2-4), and the National Team Championships (February 16-18). Important weekends for the men include the Dartmouth Event (November 17-19), the Yale Event (January 12-14), the Maine Event (January 19-21), the NESCAC Championships (February 2-4), and the National Team Championships (February 23-25). Both teams aim to improve Colby's standing in the CBB.

Women's swimming comes off two of the best seasons in school history, and the Mules are looking for a fourth straight top-20 finish at the NCAA Division III Championships. All-American Kelly Norsworthy '08 was second in the 100 and 200 breaststroke at the 2006 NCAA meet. Besides setting school records in the 100 (1:03.32) and 200 (2:18.18) breaststroke, she placed seventh at nationals in the 200 individual medley with a school record time of 2:07.84 and won two NESCAC titles. At nationals she helped the Mules place 15th overall. Colby, 9-3 in dual meets a year ago, has other top swimmers returning. Kelsey Potdevin '09 won the NESCAC title in the 50 backstroke in her first year. Potdevin and Norsworthy combined with Maddie Given '08 and Courtney Chilcote '09 for solid finishes in the 200 medley relay including a second at the NESCAC meet and ninth at nationals.

With the loss of just one swimmer to graduation, men's swimming and diving anticipates more success in the pool in 2007. The Mules had their best finish ever in the NESCAC meet, placing fifth, and ended with a 7-4 dual meet record. All-American Jabez Dewey '07 leads the way after a fifth in the 100 backstroke at the NCAA Division III Championships and All-NESCAC honors in the 50 backstroke with a second place. Depth was key last year and should be again. Evan Mullin '08 placed fifth at the NESCAC meet in the 200 freestyle and is strong in the 500 and 1,000 freestyle. Ian Cross '07 had a solid season on the diving board, and Andrew Peterson '08 and Patrick Dean '07 add strength in the breaststroke. Mitch Bartkiewicz '07 returns in the 400 individual medley. Sam Wampler '09 returns in the freestyle sprints along with Ryan Adams '07, who also can race in the butterfly. Mike Finnerty '08 is strong in the 1,000 meters and had success in relay races.

Last year women's indoor track enjoyed success placing 10th at the New England Division III Championships. Anna King '08 made the trip to nationals and finished ninth in the 1,500-meter run. King and Karen Prisby '07 each ran the 5,000 meters, and Prisby could go in the 3,000 as well. Liz Petit '08 was fourth at the New England Division III meet in the 1,000 meters, and sprinter Erin Beasley '09 was sixth in the 200. The distance medley relay team lost All-American Jess Minty '06 to graduation, but Petit, Beasley, and Devan FitzPatrick '09 all return to a team that took sixth at the Open New England meet last year. Abbie Frederick '09 returns in the hurdles, and Melissa Cianciolo '07 and Brianna Kondrat '09 are back in the throws.

With interim head coach Jared Beers in charge, men's indoor track returns a number of key performers from last year's squad. Menya Hinga '09 was impressive in his first year, earning a number of top-five finishes, including third at the Maine State meet in the 800 meters and triple jump and sixth in the long jump. Dan Vassallo '07 was third in the 5,000 meters, and Bob Glotfelty '08 took fourth in the 1,000 meters. Glotfelty and John Waller '07 both were scoring threats in the 800, 1,000, and mile runs. Brent Aigler '08 and Chris DeRoo '09 ran in the 600 meters, and Cam Bucsko '08 tossed the weight throw.