As Bradford High swimming head coach Pam Smeigh Digel is asked
about this year’s swim season she shrugs her shoulders and smiles.
“We (assistant coach Katrina Cibula Douglass) and I have been
talking for weeks about how long it is going to take us to figure
out our strongest line-up this season,” Digel commented.

Although that sounds like a bad thing, the reason behind the
dilema is actually exciting. Numbers.

“We have so many new kids out for the program this year that
with each practice we are learning more and more about their
abilities. It is just going to take time to teach mechanics and to
condition everyone this season,” Digel went on to explain.

“We are really counting on the experience and leadership of our
returning lettermen to help pull things together. I think as the
season progresses, with everyone working together, we’ll see some
very exciting performances.”

Heading the leadership role on the girl’s side of things will be
senior returning letterwinner Ashley Eliason and Katlyn Nelson.

“Ashley gives us great diversity with all of the strokes. She
has also been willing to jump on the diving board when we really
need it,” Digel noted. “Katlyn is coming off a remarkable regional
meet last year and a trip to the PIAA state meet. Hopefully that
will help her to motivate herself and her teammates.”

Joining them are juniors Ellie Imhoff, Janie Reiley, Leslie
Shallop, Katie Slavinski, and Heather Vickery.

“I can’t say enough about Ellie. Her work ethic, personality ,
and physical ability are all priceless to this team,” Digel
emphasized. “She is definitely the rock we know we can turn to in
any situation.

“Janie excels at the distance freestyle events, Leslie at
mid-distance and backstroke, and Heather again is one of those very
diverse swimmers with talent in all strokes.

“Katie Slavinski is one of our key speed-sters. She has gotten
stronger and stronger over the past couple of years and I know her
experience at the state meet in 2006 has left her hungry for a
return trip. She also has her goals set on a couple of our team
records.

“Sophmores Erica Pascarella and Bethany Russell return with a
great season behind them as well,” Digel continued. “Erica gained a
lot of confidence in herself and can give us strong performances in
any of the freestyle distances. Bethany worked extremely hard over
the off-season emphasizing strength and technique so her impact
should be strong.”

Joining the team as freshman are Marissa Buchheit, Hilary Digel,
Carley Frisina, and Brittany McGee.

“These girls know the tradition of this team and are ready to be
part of what we are,” Digel said.

When looking at the boys’ team, again the coaches respond with a
big smile. “We have the largest numbers out for this team that I
can ever remember. I’m not sure what has sparked this but we are so
excited!” Digel remarked. “We have the tradition of producing very
talented swimmers but have not had the numbers to win meets. This
year it looks like things should change.

“Junior returning letterwinners Ben Daggett, Daniel Gonzales,
Alex Goodman and Vince Pascarella should lead the way.

“Daniel gives us speed in the sprints, Vince excels in mid
distance and distance freestyle, Ben also adds to the distance
freestyle and backstroke,” Digel observed.

“Alex is a very strong sprinter who was the only boy to make it
to states last year. We are counting on a repeat performance from
him and hoping that three other fellows will step up this year to
join him on a relay.

“But as with the girls, the major factor that will really make
or break the potential here is the need for these guys to stand up
and set a strong example for the younger athletes.

“Matt Anderson (IM and breastroke), Steve Cavagnaro (freestyle
and backstroke), Josh Lightner (IM, sprints, and fly), and Matt
Schwab (freestyle, backstroke and fly) are the rest of the
returning letterwinners for the boys.

“All of these guys came a long way last season and will give us
a lot of strength in the middle of the line-up.”

New to the team this season are Micah Irwin, Ian McDonough, Dan
Astor, Maverick Irwin, Patrick Morrisroe, Adam Barnes, Garret
Newhouse, and Ben Yale.

“Some of these guys are coming out of the Y program, some have
swum many years ago and have decided to come back out, and others
are strong athletes who have decided to step up and try a new
sport. Whatever their motivation we are really glad to have them
out and excited to see what we’ll be able to do,” Digel said.

The teams and staff are facing one remarkable challenge this
year that has the coaches more concerned than anything else:
facilities.

“This program was begun in the early 70’s and, as with many
programs at the high school, the lack of athletic facilities has
always been an issue,” Digel remarked. “Yet with the exception of
when we had to travel to Portville as a new pool was being built,
we have never been in a worse practice situation than we are now.
The YMCA has shortened our after school hours and put us late
evening on one night. UPB has helped out by allowing us to practice
Fridays and Saturdays and have our meets at their facilities. But
the lack of consistency of practice time is going to be very
difficult.”

On a strong note, the benefit of several volunteer coaches (Dan
Confer, Freya Lopus, Shannon Cattoni and Chris Brooks) joining
Digel and Douglass has really helped downplay the stress of the
situation, as well as improve the progress of the team.

“One thing that I hope is a strong motivation for the swimmers
is that all six members of the coaching staff have come out of the
BAHS swimming program and have also participated at the NCAA
level,” Digel said. “As I said, tradition in this program is
strong. It seems like the kids always have such an unfair advantage
compared to other teams, but we’ve always made it work somehow. We
have confidence this year’s squad will do the same.”