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Women's swimming veterans, newcomers make up strong squad for upcoming season.

Dec. 2, 1999

The Florida State women's swim team will enter the 1999-2000 season with a goal of finishing in the top three at the ACC Championships and scoring at the NCAA Championships. With a strong nucleus of veterans lead a potential-filled group of newcomers, the Lady Seminoles have the ingrediants to achieve that goal.

"We have a combination of talent and depth this year, which gives us the opportunity to make great strides," First year Head Coach Neil Harper said. "We had a great recruiting season and have some impact transfers. The transfers combined with the potential that our returnees and newcomers possess will make a great team. We could really turn some heads this year."

All-American Anne Blachford returns for her senior campaign and will be looked upon for leadership. Blachford, who came to FSU from Brampton, Ontario, competed in the 200 IM, 50 Free and 100 Breast at the NCAA Champioships. Also returning is Tanya Gurr, who transferred from Indian River Community College last season. The senior from Harare, Zimbabwe, had many NCAA Consideration times last year and looks to make the championships this year. Gurr competed in the All-African games this summer.

"Anne is a very versatile swimmer," Harper said. "She is one of those swimmers who can do it all. We have a ton of choices with her and can use her for almost any event. Tanya will also be a top choice in the freestyle events but could also see some time swimming the backstroke events."

Headlining the newcomers are two transfers, Christy Cech and Karyn Krynauw. Cech, a sophomore transfer from Pietermaritzburg, Natal in South Africa, competed in the 50, 100 and 200 Free events at the NCAA Championships last year for the University of Miami. Krynauw came to FSU from Ohio State after spending a year under Harper as a Buckeye. The sophomore, also from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, finished 17th in the 200 Breast at the NCAA Championships last year.

"We have more of a variety of top swimmers," Harper said. "With the return of Tanya and Anne and the addition of Christy and Keryn, we have more to play with in terms of making our relays stronger."

Also returning is junior Kristen Adams, who will be a contender in the middle and distance freestyle events at the ACC Championships and could also be a new face at the NCAA Championships. Adams, who came to FSU from Greer, S.C., finished 6th in the 200 Free at the ACC's last year and was a part of the 3rd place 800 Free Relay. Lisa Kirsch will join Adams on the middle distance but is also a strong distance swimmer. The sophomore from Winter Springs, Fla., finished 7th in the mile last year at the ACC Championships and had three other top three finishes.

Returning on the diving squad are Marya Sabesky and Caren Hirai, who each had top finishes at the ACC Championships last season. Sabesky, a senior from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, finished 2nd on the 3-meter and 3rd on the 1-meter at the ACC Championships as Hirai took 8th in the 1-meter and 13th on the 3-meter. Both divers have the potential to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

The Lady Seminoles welcome a total of 15 newcomers to the squad, including 11 freshmen. Joining transfers Cech and Krynauw are Megan Lock from Indian River Community College and Brandy Ogelsby from Seminole Community College. Freshman Jill Deviese, Shannon Goff and Kathleen McCubbins lead the rookies. All three were junior championship qualifiers and will compete in the Fly events. Leah Lane and Kristen Keelan, both junior national qualifiers, will make an immediate impact in the breaststroke events as Christine Williams will be an assest in the sprint free. Anne Caruso joins the diving squad from Plantation, Fla. after making the state championships her senior year.

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