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Mariner excels in pool, classroom

By NANCY MORGAN
Published January 28, 2007

Sean Tedesco, swimming coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, had high expectations for Clearwater's Jay Carpenter when he enrolled as a first-year midshipman in 2004.

Tedesco credits Carpenter with turning around the Mariners' program his first two years there and expects continued success.

"I expected Jay to step right into a leadership role as a freshman and he's fulfilled that expectation, plus more," Tedesco said. "He has the talent to be the No. 1 swimmer and showed early on he's for real. Each year Jay does even better."

Carpenter, who was homeschooled by his parents, started his freshman year by breaking Skyline Conference records in the 50 freestyle, 200 individual medley and 200 free relay, as well as setting academy records in four other events. Carpenter qualified for the NCAA Championships in three events, was selected the conference's Co-Rookie of the Year and was named an Academic All-American.

"My transition to the academy was pretty smooth and I seemed to fit right in," said Carpenter, 20. "Swimming competitively since I was about 5, I did see that in the higher level and in USA Swimming, the pace was faster, as it was at the academy.

"After I received a letter at CAT Clearwater Aquatics Team practice, I looked up the school online, talked to the coach, visited the academy and decided that's where I wanted to go."

Carpenter achieved an equal amount of success his sophomore year, including breaking academy records in six events, being selected the conference Co-Swimmer of the Year and qualifying for the NCAA Championships in four events. A third-place finish in the 100 breaststroke and a fifth in the 200 IM earned Carpenter All-America recognition. The marine engineer systems major was also named Academic All-American for the second straight year.

"I'll never forget that feeling of standing up on the podium at the NCAAs to get my award for finishing third," Carpenter said. "This year, I'd like an even stronger finish. ...

"Last year, our team finished ranked about 18th among Division III teams. I'd like to see us get more team members at the championships so we can score more points and get a higher ranking."

This season, Carpenter is on the same track of success. Last week, the junior won the 100 fly and 100 breaststroke in the Mariners' win over Division II Adelphi. Against the Coast Guard, Carpenter set a pool record in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 58.99 and won the 50 breast and 200 IM.

MORE SWIMMING: East Carolina senior middle-distance freestyler Josh Curnutte (Palm Harbor University) placed fourth in the 200 free and sixth in the 100 in a loss to UNC Wilmington.

- In a 140-91 win over Louisville, Wright State junior Kassie Schmidt (Dunedin) swam the first leg for the first-place 400-free relay team and was fifth in the 100 free.

- Wright State freshman Candace Thornburg (Palm Harbor U.) finished fifth in the 200 butterfly in 54.87.

- Freshman Tierney Moss (Seminole) placed fourth in the 1,000 freestyle event for the Savannah College of Art and Design in a tri-meet with Georgia Southern and Wingate.

BASKETBALL: Georgia State's Kelcey Roegiers-Jensen (Boca Ciega) is third in the nation and first in the Colonial Athletic Association in assists per game (6.6) and 77th nationally in scoring average (16.8). The senior guard leads her squad in scoring, assists and rebounds per game (5.8).

- Luke Postorino (Clearwater/LeMoyne College) is averaging 4.9 points per game for Lynn. In a double overtime 62-61 win over Tampa, the sophomore guard scored six points.

- Older brother Josh Postorino (Clearwater/Dayton) is in his fourth year as assistant coach at Marshall.

BASEBALL: Ian Church (Osceola/Stetson) signed a minor-league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and will report to spring training in Jupiter next month. Last year, the outfielder led independent baseball's Frontier League in home runs (31) and hits (38) and was second in batting average (.317) and RBIs (78).

- Casey Allen (Gibbs) was selected to compete in this month's Florida Sun Conference all-star game that showcases college players to professional scouts. Splitting time between third base and left field, the Savannah College of Art and Design junior averaged .318 in 52 starts and posted 22 RBIs.

TRACK: Two-time All-American Ashlee Kidd (St. Petersburg) finished first in the 400 meters with a season-best and NCAA provisional time of 53.47 in the Kentucky Invitational. Kidd leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in the 60-, 200- and 400-meter races.

FOOTBALL: Senior placekicker Brett Kitenplon (Admiral Farragut) was named to the third-team East Region All-Star Team by Football Gazette. Kitenplon holds school records in points (281), field goals (40) and extra points (161).

- Matt Wiszowaty (Countryside) was a freshman linebacker for the 3-6 Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

GYMNASTICS: In Southern California's opening meet, two-time All-American Colin Christ (East Lake) placed second on pommel horse and high bar against No. 2 Stanford.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 18:33:30]