The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYACS) Championships has finally arrived for the New Paltz Hawks. 

The Hawks return back to Burt Flickinger Center pool to finish out their season over the course of a four day meet. The team departed Tuesday evening with the meet starting Wednesday afternoon, which means taper is finally coming to an end. Taper was a unique experience for the team this past week, as a ban was placed on the village of New Paltz's tap water. Classes were canceled and students were sent home from Wednesday until Sunday, and the Hawks were forced to change their entire practice schedule as a result. 

"Going into SUNYACS I'm really excited with where we've been at training wise and mentally," said SUNY New Paltz coach Matthew Distler. "I think our team has shown a ton of resilience over the past couple weeks and I'm really excited for what we're about to do heading into championships".

Last year both the Hawks' men's and women's teams came in fourth place overall at SUNYACs and would love to post a top-3 spot this season. In order to accomplish this, SUNY New Paltz will need some strong relay finishes and finals performances by individual swimmers.

The Hawks have been focusing on short yardage race pace efforts in order to prepare for their championship, which allows the athletes to rest while also maintaining strong efforts. Although there was a slight change in their practice schedule, they are still on course to have some fast swims at their championship meet.  

The Hawks have several swimmers to watch out for at SUNYACS this year. Men's team Sophomore Ethan Bonney will attempt to pick up where Barrett Celecki left off and bring home a medal in the men's 1650 yard freestyle. Sophomore Luke Gamboli, who has been consistently dropping time in his 100 yard butterfly over the past year, will go for a medal in the event. The Hawks 800 yard freestyle relay composed of sophomore Mitch Chappell, sophomore Jared Finn, sophomore Ethan Bonney and senior Tim Stecher, look to bring home a medal and potentially break a two year old school record of 6:58.71. 

SUNY New Paltz's women's team will also look to their top performers to bring home some medals at SUNYACs. Senior Chelsea Anguals will try and defend her first place finish in the 100-yard backstroke from a season ago, while freshman Kelly Donlevy is poised to have a strong 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard freestyle. Freshman Kirsten Giovanniello will look to medal in the 200-yard butterfly as she is fresh off a second place finish in the event at the Geneseo Invitational two weekends ago.

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