COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College men's and women's swimming & diving head coach Eileen Hall introduced the men's squad's eight newcomers, which includes seven first-years and a transfer, on Tuesday.
Cal Baird
Hometown: Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
High School: Saratoga Springs High School
Year: First-Year
Why SMC? "I chose Saint Mike's because out of all the tours I have gone on, Saint Mike's seemed the closest knit, and I felt as if I was invited by Coach Hall rather than other coaches making me feel they didn't need me."
Events: 500 and 1,000 freestyle
Hunter Cook
Hometown: Garden City, N.Y.
High School: Chaminade High School
Year: First-Year
Why SMC? "I chose Saint Mike's because I felt like I fit right in after visiting on an overnight trip. I also really like the location and being close to a ski mountain."
Events: 50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke
Emanuel Cuarta
Hometown: Davie, Fla.
High School: Western High School
Year: First-Year
Why SMC? "I chose Saint Mike's because Coach Hall and all the swimmers were really welcoming and warm when I visited. I felt like they were a family I wanted to be part of. Saint Mike's also offers the major that I have always been interested in."
Events: 100 and 200 breaststroke
Hunter Daily
Hometown: Amherst, N.H.
High School: Souhegan High School
Year: First-Year
Why SMC? "I chose Saint Michael's College due to its location from home, unique opportunities, past ties to the area, amazing biochemistry program, family friends in the area and, of course, swimming."
Events: 100 and 200 breaststroke, 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly
Michael Dormer
Hometown: Merrimack, N.H.
High School: Trinity High School
Year: First-Year
Why SMC? "I chose Saint Mike's because I really like the campus, and I felt very welcome when I went to Saint Mike's for a tour. I also really like the location."
Events: 200 freestyle, 200 IM
Liam Jordan
Hometown: Mendon, Mass.
High School: Wellesley High School
Year: First-Year
Why SMC? "I chose Saint Michael's because I've enjoyed my on-campus visits and met friendly, helpful staff and students in a beautiful setting like Vermont. I feel that Coach Hall is very personable and took the time to get to know me. I look forward to studying business and swimming for Saint Michael's in the Northeast-10 Conference."
Events: 200 IM, 500 freestyle
JJ Kane
Hometown: Sparta, N.J.
High School: Pope John XXIII Regional High School
Year: First-Year
Why SMC? "I chose Saint Mike's because from the first time I stepped on campus my eighth-grade year I knew I loved it. I am lucky to say that my brother (Thomas '25) and friends who I have been swimming with since I was 6 are also on the team and wanting to make an impact on the team."
Events: 100 and 200 butterfly
Rafael Kowal
Hometown: Plattsburgh, N.Y.
High School: Plattsburgh High School
Last College: Alfred (N.Y.) State College
Year: Sophomore
Why SMC? "I decided to transfer to Saint Mike's because of the academic offerings and the location being very close to my hometown."
Events: 200 backstroke, 400 IM
