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Ben Nigro
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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara swimming and diving teams have 12 new student-athletes that will comprise the recruiting class of 2014, including five from Western New York.
The incoming freshman class for the swimming and diving team includes Kara Borowiak (Orchard Park, N.Y.), Erica Crane (Lockport, N.Y.), Gabby Dell'Arciprete (Binghamton, N.Y.), Ashley Harrington (Buffalo, N.Y.), Cody Heimbrock (Roxbury, Conn.), Emily Kisloski (Owego, N.Y.), Chelsea O'Laughlin (Lewiston, N.Y.), Jake Pisano (Mineola, N.Y.), Amy Pokelwaldt (Niagara Falls, N.Y.), Nate Resila (Albany, N.Y.), Alex Siuda (Brantford, Ont.) and Brady Small (Commerce Township, Mich.).
"We graduated a large and versatile class on the men's side last year that provided plenty of leadership for our team," head coach Ben Nigro said. "Our incoming class will have to be flexible as we determine what roles they will fill."
Heimbrock was a diver at Shepaug Valley, where he was the 2008 & 2009 Berkshire League Champion, with scores of 361.40 and 330.30, respectively. The three-time All-State honoree also finished well at the 2008 YMCA Nationals competition, finishing in 5th place in the 1 meter diving event and 6th place in the three meter diving event.
Pisano had a strong career between St. Anthony's and Deer Park. At Deer Park, Pisano broke the 200 and 500 yard free records en route to All-County honors in 2010. The 5-foot-9 swimmer finished 33rd in the 200 and 500 free events at the New York State meet in 2010.
Resila comes to Monteagle Ridge after a distinguished high school career at Mohonasen. Resila was Wendy's Heisman High School male nominee from Mohonasen, capping off a career which saw him win a Section 2 Championship in 2009, while also receiving All-American Consideration in the 200 medley and free relays. The six-foot athlete holds four schools records, including the 100 breast (1:00.94), 200 free relay (1:27.98), 200 medley relay (1:38.77) and 400 free relay.
Siuda is no stranger to stiff competition, having competed in Provincial meets in Thunder Bay and Ottawa, as well as a National meet in Montreal. As a member of the Brantford Aquatic Club, Siuda won a gold medal in the 200 meter back event and a silver medal in the 200 meter breast stroke event at the 2010 Western Regional Championships.
Small comes to Niagara after swimming with Detroit Catholic Central and the Great Lakes Aquatic Club. Small has made a huge splash in Michigan, earning All-State honors, on top of All-County, All-Area and All-Catholic League laurels. The 6-foot-2 freshman also was the 2009 & 2010 Catholic League Champion in the 200 free event.
The women's recruiting class looks just as promising as the men's for the Purple Eagles this year, with seven new faces joining the roster.
"This year's recruiting class for the women's team has big shoes to fill with the graduation of Ashley Clingersmith, Dana Vernal and Stephanie Gartley accounting for nine school records," Nigro said. "It will be hard to replace these women who left such a big mark on our program. They have driven us to be better. I think this incoming freshman class will continue where our graduates left off."
Borowiak is one of two members of the STAR Swimming Club to join the Purple Eagles this coming year, with Harrington heading to Niagara also. At Orchard Park, Borowiak helped the 200 yard medley relay team to a 13th place finish at the 2009 Section 6 meet, having the fastest split (26.21) amongst the team. Borowiak was also the fastest swimmer on the 200 yard free relay team that finished in 15th place during the 2009 Section 6 meet.
Crane swam for the Lockport Lions during her high school tenure, helping the 200 yard medley relay team to a 14th place finish at the 2009 Section 6 meet. During the 2009 meet, the Western New Yorker also finished in 6th place in the breast stroke. Crane will have a lot on her plate come the fall, as she will be coming to Niagara on an ROTC scholarship.
Dell'Arciprete was a solid swimmer for Binghamton High, earning Southern Tier Athletic Conference Eastern All-Star honors in the 100 breast event as a junior.
Harrington swam while she attended Nardin Academy in Buffalo, claiming All-Catholic Championships all four years. Harrington was also a member of the 400 yard free relay team in 2008 that finished in 11th place at the New York State meet.
Kisloski comes to Niagara after a successful career at Owego Free Academy and with the Greater Owego Swim Team. Kisloski holds the school records in the 50 free (24.98), 100 free (54.12) and 200 free (1:56.30), en route to earning All-Conference honors in the 200 and 500 free events all four years. The two-time WBNG-TV Scholar-Athlete Award winner also recently placed 16th in the New York State meet in the 100 and 200 free events.
O'Laughlin will enjoy a special freshman year with the Purple Eagles, as she will be able to compete with her older brother and senior-to-be Ryan. The former Lewport Lancer was a three-sport athlete, playing basketball and softball besides swimming and looks to add depth and versatility to Coach Nigro's stable.
Pokelwaldt also spent her high school career in the Niagara Frontier League as a member of the Niagara Wheatfield Falcons diving team. The Western New Yorker finished in 15th place at the 2007 Section 6 meet and in 12th place at the 2008 edition in the one meter diving event.
The Purple Eagles kick off the 2010-11 season on Oct. 9, when both teams compete in the Western New York Invitational.
