SWIMMING

ECC

EAST LYME

Coach: Jack Stabach (15th year)

Key returnees: Sr. Ben Biondi (breaststroke, freestyle), Jr. Ryan Dumais (free), Sr. Zach Kosakowski (backstroke, butterfly, individual medley), Danny Munch (back), Ethan Opsahl (free), Evan Opsahl (fly, IM), Sr. Clayton Otter (back, breast, IM), Jr. Mitchell Ryan (diving), Sr. Antonio Smith (breast, fly, free), Sr. Eric Stirtan (fly, free), Jr. Kevin Sullivan (diving), Sr. Austin Toback (back, fly, free).

Top newcomers: Ehren Johnson (breast, free), Ben Wojick (diving).

Outlook: East Lyme graduated six seniors who played a major role in leading the Vikings to a 17-2 overall record, the ECC championship and a strong third-place finish in Class M. Still, the Vikings have talent and depth throughout their lineup and Stabach is confident his team will not only be a factor in the conference and at the state level again, but a few school records are within their grasp, too.

FITCH/ST. BERNARD

Coach: Ken Berg (34th year)

Key returnees: Sr. Aiden Ely (butterfly, individual medley), Jr. Dakota Williams (freestyle), So. Sean Estep (free), So. Sam Kokomoor (free), So. Aaron Lewis (free, breaststroke), So. Malik Mitchell (breast).

Top newcomer: Alex Belair.

Outlook: The Falcons, who are part of a cooperative program with St. Bernard this winter, will have to overcome the loss of Christian Berg, The Day's All-Area Swimmer of the Year in 2013 after winning the Class M state title in the 100 backstroke and ECC titles in the 200 and 500 freestyles. Fitch/SB (6-7 last season) doesn't have great numbers or depth, but the Falcons do have talent.

LEDYARD/STONINGTON

Coach: Alan Opsahl (10th year)

Key returnees: Sr. Tyler Harlow (freestyle), Sr. Troy Hedman (breaststroke), Jr. Fred France (butterfly, free), So. Austin Carter (fly, free), Sr. Collin Esquirol (free, backstroke), Sr. Gabby Fabian (fly), Sr. Alex Orf (free), So. John Moody (free), So. Alex Green (free).

Top newcomers: Fr. Jack Wheeler (free), So. Ruby Robinson (free), Fr. Dylan LaPointe (breast), Fr. Matt Planchon (free).

Outlook: Opsahl must replace five seniors, but returns an experienced cast and welcomes some talented newcomers that should make the cooperative team very competitive in the ECC this winter. The Colonels were 11-2 last season, their only two losses coming to ECC champion East Lyme.

NFA

Coach: Tom Theve (23rd year)

Key returnees: Sr. Aidan Karam (freestyle, Sr. Jon Yuen (butterfly, free), Dylan Crider (diving), Sr. Tyler Keith (breaststroke, free), Sr. Walker Cook (individual medley, free), Kellen Strader (fly, IM), So. Tim Yuen (free).

Outlook: The Wildcats return one of the program's top all-time swimmers in Karam, who holds or shares all six NFA freestyle records, while Jon Yuen, Keith and Cook were part of a record setting 400 freestyle relay team a year ago. Theve likes the Wildcats' blend of experience and youth and expects to challenge the ECC's top teams this season after going 5-10 overall and 3-9 in the ECC last season.

WATERFORD

Coach: Patrick Callan (1st year)

Key returnees: Sr. Adam Darling, Sr. Ryan Hessling, Jr. Daniel Clark, Jr. Michael McDermott, Jr. Alex Athenian, Jr. George Frankewicz, Jr. Edi Muck, Jr. Kyle Waters, So. Nexhat Mucka, So. Matthew Patton, So. Kevin Su.

Top newcomers: Jr. Jake Weiss, Fr. Elson Guo, Fr. Jacob Hotsky, Fr. Joseph Lester, Fr. Brendan McCarty.

Outlook: Callan, an assistant for the past five seasons, takes over for Brett Arnold, who is taking a sabbatical this season. The Lancers return 11 swimmers, led by four-year veterans Darling and Hessling, and Callan expects a number of new swimmers to help impact the season. Waterford was 4-9 last season, but a .500 or better season is certainly an attainable goal.

Other

WILLIAMS

Coaches: Doug Hagan (8th year), Susie Stritar (11th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Samantha Linhares, Jr. Josh Goldstein, So. Hillary Goldstein, So. Carly Meyer, So. Kaela Milewski, Fr. Grace Linhares, Fr. Everett Steiner, Fr. Clauda Mergy.

Top newcomers: Sr. Cooper Feltes, So. Abbey Dimatteo, Fr. Will Jarrett.

Outlook: The Blues were hit hard by graduation losses, losing six seniors including Caius Mergy, who is competing collegiately at Middlebury. But Hagan and Stritar are excited about the prospects of their co-ed program and expect to be competitive this winter.

WRESTLING

ECC Large

EAST LYME

Coach: Ed Lorah (6th year)

Key returnees: Sr. Andrew Lorah (152), Jr. Mason Pagan (145), Jr. Matthew Pagan (170), Jr. Kyle Bernard (132, 138), Jr. T.J. Hillyer (195), Jr. Sid Shah (220), Jr. Kyle Gaudio (285), So. Corey Levesque (132, 138).

Top newcomers: Jr. Kevin O'Sullivan, So. Jake Hughes, So. David Gill.

Outlook: The Vikings have had trouble sending out a complete lineup in recent years, but with the return of eight starters and a solid group of newcomers, Lorah expects his team to be much more competitive during the dual season. East Lyme, which won only two dual meets last season, also moves from Class L to Class M this season and Lorah is confident some of his veterans can be place-winners at the state level.

LEDYARD

Coach: Steve Bilheimer (11th year)

Key returnees: Sr. Mike Graff (132, 138), Sr. Caile Johnson (160, 170), Sr. Nick Lauer (152), Jr. Devon MarcAurele (152, 160), Kevin McDonald (220, 285), Derek Schultz (113, 120).

Top newcomers: Jr. Justin Boyd (145, 152), Jr. Josh Rahal (138, 145).

Outlook: The Colonels must replace seven starters, including State Open champion Colin Grim (182) and Class M champion Ben Morales (220), from last year's Class M state title team, but Ledyard, which went 20-1 against one of the state's toughest schedules in 2012-13, still has plenty of experience to remain an elite ECC and state program. MarcAurele (120) and Johnson (160) were Class M runnerups a year ago while Schultz and McDonald were place-winners. The development of individuals new to the starting lineup will determine just how far the Colonels will go this winter.

NEW LONDON

Coach: Mike Gorton (2nd year)

Key returnees: Jr. Michael Commander, So. Alejandro Paulino, Sr. Cristian Andino-Torres, Jr. Danny Maranda, Sr. Harley Jean-Jacques.

Outlook: Commander, who placed sixth in the Class M meet (126) and competed in the State Open, returns to lead a New London team that has over 50 wrestlers in the program for the second straight season. The Whalers are young in some spots and move up to the Large Division after finishing 12-7 overall and 4-2 in the Small Division last season, but have enough quality to be competitive again this season in the ECC.

NFA

Coach: Gregory Perry (2nd year)

Key returnees: So. Matt Foster (113), Sr. Joseph Mahoney-Ballestraci (126), Sr. Ryan Mocek (132), Jr. Patrick Mahoney-Ballestraci (152), Sr. Jahlil Bryant (160), Jr. Abner Lugo Del Toro (170), Jr. Khaleed Exum-Strong (182), Jr. Sean Doran (182), Sr. Aaron Hebert (220), Jr. Jason Egbart (220, 285), So. Richard Crooks (285).

Top newcomers: Fr. Colby Knolhoff (120), Fr. Tyler Knolhoff (120), So. Josh Huntley (138), So. Jake Fowler (145), So. Jacob Hodge (152), So. Adam Kesner (195), Sr. Will Murray (220).

Outlook: The Wildcats must replace three State Open place-winners - Tyler Courter (3rd, 145), Edgar Charles (3rd, 160) and John Crooks (4th, 195) - but Perry feels NFA has the depth and talent throughout the lineup to challenge Ledyard for top honors in the Large Division. NFA was second in the division last season, losing only to the Colonels, while finishing 20-12 overall. There has been plenty of competition for starting spots at each weight class that according to Perry will only make the Wildcats stronger as the season progresses.

ECC Small

MONTVILLE

Coach: Gary Wilcox (16th year)

Key returnees: Jr. Zach Looney (119), Jr. Tom Wynoski (126, 132), Sr. Steve Rogers (126, 132), Sr. Jacob Caskey (138, 145), So. Austin Concascia (138, 145), Sr. Jacob Schmalz (152, 160), Jr. Ian Concascia (160, 170), Sr. Patrick Bogan (170, 180), Sr. Brent Politowitz (180, 195), Sr. James Hilbie (105, 220).

Top newcomers: Fr. Joel Morth (113, 119), Fr. Emanuel Diaz (152), So. Joe Barber (106), Fr. Tim Liebig (132, 138), Fr. Augustine Cornish (220, 285), Fr. Nick Laraquenta (145).

Outlook: The Indians were 14-2 a year ago, their only conference loss coming against Small Division and eventual Class S champion Windham, and return a number of veterans from that team, including reigning Class S champion Caskey (he won at 132 last season) and place-winners Wynoski and Schmaltz. Wilcox said Montville has the ability to challenge for division honors and be a factor at the state meet providing some of the Indians' adjust to varsity wrestling quickly.

WATERFORD

Coach: Chris Gamble (14th year)

Key returnees: Sr. Brentt Smith (120, 126); Sr. Justin Lindblom (145, 152); Jr. Spencer Sgandurra (145, 152); Jr. Dillon McCarthy (152, 160); So. Sam Lindblom (132, 138); Sr. Jake Keating (182, 195); Sr. Jimm Roscover (138, 145).

Top newcomers: So. Niko Randolph (126, 132); Jr. Ryan Botseas (113, 120).

Outlook: Gamble welcomes back four Class M place-winners from a year ago, including Class M champion Smith, who also placed fifth in the State Open. Despite having experience, however, the Lancers don't have great depth and Gamble still has to make sure his veterans settle into the right weight classes. If Waterford stays healthy, it will be a factor in the division after competing in the Large Division last season.

ST. BERNARD/NORWICH TECH

Coach: Tom Dowler (1st year)

Key returnees: Sr. Danny Fields, Sr. Carl Craney, Sr. John Gannon, Sr. Cas Wonica, Sr. Jake Newsome, Jr. Aaron Michaud, Jr. Mario Lin, So. Justin Keeting, So. Matthew Dowler, So. Robert Newtown.

Outlook: Dowler takes over as head coach and the Saints will be young and inexperienced, but they do have 12 newcomers to the program so there is plenty of room to grow and improve. Matthew Dowler placed third in Class M at 106 a year ago and is SB/NT's most accomplished returning wrestler.

HOCKEY

FITCH/EAST LYME/LEDYARD/OLD LYME

Coach: Randy Craig (1st year)

Key returnees: Jr. G Tyler Luke, Sr. D Kyle Gurnee, Sr. D John Stevens, Sr. F Chris Freeman, Sr. F Kiefer Stroebel, Jr. F Pete Yapchanyk, Jr. F Zach Jones.

Top newcomers: Sr. F Tyler Hebert, Sr. F Drew Bradley, Jr. D Jarrett Hebert.

Outlook: Craig takes over a program that was winless in 2012-13, but returns a core of players who will be playing their third season together. The cooperative team also returns a tested Luke in goal and with the addition of some key newcomers Craig expects "significant improvement" this winter.

ST. BERNARD/NFA/BACON

Coach: Terry McAuliffe (1st year)

Key returnees: Sr. D Ryan Terracciano, Sr. F Isaac Basham, Sr. F Kevin Teskey, Sr. F Turner Moss.

Top newcomers: D Patrick Halloran, F Brian Guetens, D Kyle Backer, F Matt Rakowski, F Tristan Malone.

Outlook: The Saints went 10-12 last year and reached the Division III state semifinals before losing in overtime. McAuliffe is the new head coach, and will rely on his defense and their leadership in transitioning to a new season. The cooperative program has speed, skill and size up front to be successful again and he expects the team to make another deep run in the state tournament.