Pictured is the Jamestown Community College swim team at the banquet prior to the start of the national championships at Indian River College in Florida. The Jayhawks begin the prelims today at 9:30 a.m. Submitted Photo

JAMESTOWN — The postseason has been where the Jamestown Community College women’s swimming & diving team shines the best since coming back to compete during the 2020-21 season.

“This is what it is all about,” said head coach Todd Conklin. “I came here to help bring this program back to where it was and I can confidently say that we are national title contenders year in and year out.”

The Jayhawks will be defending their 2020-21 Non-Scholarship National Championship and have a team that some would argue may be more talented this time around.

Leading the group is Kaylee Constantino (Frewsburg, NY/Frewsburg HS) who was a four-time NJCAA Region 3 First Team All-Region selection and a two-time NJCAA Region 3 Second Team All-Region selection. While at the NJCAA Region 3 Championships, Constantino set a new school and championship record in the 50 yard breaststroke with a time of 32.69. Constantino also set a new school record in the 100 yard breaststroke with a time of 1:12.37 during the regional championship as well. Earlier in the season, Constantino also set a new school record in the 200 yard breaststroke with a time of 2:48.25.

Constantino has been the standard for the JCC squad, being named the NJCAA Region 3 Player of the Week four times throughout the year.

Shannen Stein (Olean, NY/Portville Central) will also carry over what is already an impressive postseason run, finishing as a Region 3 First Team All-Region selection in six overall events including three individual events.

Bringing along their championship experience are second-year swimmers Jade Vidas (Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa/Parktown HS for Girls) and Tia Moppert (Gowanda, NY/Gowanda HS). Moppert earned five Region 3 First Team All-Region honors and one Region 3 Second Team All-Region honors. A year ago, Moppert earned All-American status in four events. Vidas is a two-time Region 3 All-Region swimmer and earn All-American in three events a season ago.

The Jayhawks round out their solid team with Lindsay Finch (Russell, PA/Eisenhower HS), Kylee Hennessy (Warren, PA/Warren Area HS), and Emily Lyon (Panama, NY/Panama Central).

“I believe that this group can get it done this year,” Conklin said. “I think we have a wider range of swimmers this season that can get the job done.”

Swimming starts today, with the prelims beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Indian River College in Fort Pierce, FL.

Stream for the national championships can be found at: https://www.njcaa.org/network/landing/index.

MEN LOOK FOR STRONG OUTING

JAMESTOWN — The postseason has been where the Jamestown Community College men’s swimming & diving team has put forth their best swimming of the season since coming back to compete during the 2020-21 season.

“This is what it is all about,” said head coach Todd Conklin. “I came here to help bring this program back to where it was and I can confidently say that we are national title contenders year in and year out.”

The Jayhawks bring in a veteran team with three of their five swimmer competed at the nationals last season, the Non-Scholarship Champion Runner-Ups. Returning for another run is Colby Pantall (Jamestown, NY/Maple Grove HS), Jackson Vanstrom (Jamestown, NY/Southwestern High), and Matthew Fennell (Fourways Garden, Johannesburg, South Africa/King Edwards VII School). Pantall is coming off a regional championships meet where he was the Region 3 Second Team All-Region in the 1650 yard freestyle.

“We are looking to lean on these veteran guys this week,” Conklin said. “They know what needs to be done in order to stay competitive. I’m expecting their biggest swims this week.”

JCC will also look to first year swimmers Cole Carlson (Boonsboro, MD/Southwestern High) and Joseph Keyser (Mayville, NY/Chautauqua Lake) to play keys roles in the meet.

Carlson earned Region 3 Second Team All-Region in the 100 yard freestyle and was named as Player of the Week one time during the year. Keyser has also had a solid season thus far, being named Player of the Week earlier in January.

“I believe that this group can get it done this year,” Conklin said. “I think we have a wider range of swimmers this season that can get the job done.”

Swimming starts on Wednesday, March 2nd, with the prelims starting at 9:30 a.m. at Indian River College in Fort Pierce, FL.

Stream for the national championships can be found at: https://www.njcaa.org/network/landing/index.