Saint Vincent swimming teams are looking forward to a new season with the addition of several freshmen that are expected to have a key impact on both the men’s and women’s programs.

On the women’s side, a trio of freshmen, Sarah Denning (Woodsboro, MD), Kelsey Guthrie (St. Albano, WV) and Amanda Haile (Spring City, PA), are all expected to be top performers in freestyle sprints.

Olivia Cinberg (South Orange, NJ), a leader last year in the butterfly, is back for her senior campaign and expected to provide leadership to a young team, along with fellow seniors Katie Bittner  (Upper St. Clair HS) and Karli Buday (Freeport HS).

The team has lost Kristy Hartbauer, their top 100 breaststroke and 200 IM swimmer, to graduation.

The men will again be led by Greater Latrobe HS grads Jon Okonak and Josh Shrum.  Okonak, a junior, holds school records in freestyle sprints, while Shrum, a senior, is a distance specialist.

Shrum will be joined in the distance events this year by Derry HS freshman Joe Bruzda, while junior Dan Brett (Bishop McCort HS) is also expected to have an impact this season. A pair of newcomers will be looked upon to challenge opponents in the 100 and 200 backstroke. 

Bruzda and Zack Krejdovsky, a freshman from McKeesport HS will lead the Bearcats in those events.

Coach Josh Gurekovich is back for his fourth year at the helm.