May 18, 2009
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena swimming and diving head coach Greg Brown announced today that rising seniors Meaghan Brauer and Allison O'Keefe have been named team co-captains for the upcoming 2009-10 season. Additionally, Brown announced that Britney Anderer and Kaela Bjornberg have signed national letters of intent and will enroll at Siena College this fall to comprise his program's incoming freshman class.
"Both Meaghan and Allison bring a lot of excitement and experience into their senior seasons and I'm very excited to have them lead our program in 2009-10," remarked Brown.
A local product out of nearby Shenendehowa High in Clifton Park, N.Y., Brauer has been one of the Saints' top competitors in both freestyle and breaststroke events over the past three seasons. She has been a key cog in relay events where she has contributed greatly to four first place finishes while placing as high as third individually on multiple occasions over her first three years.
A native of Southington, Conn., O'Keefe has been a steady finisher for the Saints in both freestyle and IM events. Each of the previous three seasons she has placed in the top-16 in multiple events at the MAAC Championships and posted a win in the 500 free last year in a victory over Canisius. Additionally, she has been a MAAC All-Academic Team selection each of the previous two years.
Anderer, who hails from Nesconset, N.Y., excelled in both breaststroke and IM events at Smithtown East. A five-time New York State Qualifier in both relay and individual events, she received five letters at Smithtown East and was named Team MVP following her junior year. Anderer holds multiple individual and relay team records at her high school and additionally was a two-time NCSA Junior National Qualifier while swimming with Team Suffolk.
"Britney is an outstanding swimmer who has competed at some of the top meets in the country," noted Brown. "Her work ethic and ability will make her a major force in the conference next fall."
A native of Wallingford, Conn., Bjornberg lettered all four years in swimming at Mark T. Sheehan. An All-State selection both her junior and senior years, she was also named to the All-Southern Connecticut Conference Team last season. A member of the Cheshire YMCA, Bjornberg achieved a National YMCA Top-16 in the 100 meter breaststroke and has been both a short and long course National Qualifier as well as a USA Sectional Qualifier. Additionally, she has excelled in the classroom where she has been an honor student all four years and is a member of the National Honor Society.
"Kaela is a big time talent who will make a major impact on the program as a freshman," says Brown. "I expect her to be extremely successful both in the regular season and at championships."
The Siena swimming and diving program finished the 2008-09 season at 7-5 overall and 3-2 in the MAAC while finishing sixth at the MAAC Championships for a second straight year and 10th at the ECAC Championships. The Saints open the 2009-10 season on Oct. 17 at Siena Swim Center in a tri-meet tilt with New Hampshire and MAAC foe Niagara.
