Chairs of the boards :: Kozlowski and Theis set a pace for rest of the Atlantic 10

Dec. 10, 2003

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Seniors Randy Kozlowski and Maureen Theis have raised the bar for St. Bonaventure diving. Their contributions at the pool as well as away from it have made them an integral part of the success of the swimming and diving teams.

"I expect senior leadership, consistency and high performances out of them for the entire season," said St. Bonaventure diving coach Allison Manion.

After a stellar 2002-03 season in which the Atlantic 10 Conference named him Most Outstanding Diver of the Year, Kozlowski hopes to fine-tune his skills and repeat his gold-medal performances in the one and three-meter diving events at the A-10 Championships. He also participated in the NCAA Zone A meet, where he placed 12th in the one-meter competition and 18th in the three meter.

"I just want to do my best and win A-10's again. Finishing in the top five in (zone) competition would be great," Kozlowski said.

Kozlowski spent six years working to become a collegiate level diver.

"I lived at our town pool. All summer, I worked six hours a day and did not leave," he said. "I've come a long way since then. I used to be so scared to do certain dives, and now I just go up there and try different things."

Despite having only five years of diving experience, Theis has established herself as one of the top female divers in the A-10. She began diving during her senior year of high school after she quit her 12-year gymnastics career.

"I came into college with a little experience, and since then I have improved and learned a lot," Theis said.

Last year, Theis took silver in the one-meter and bronze in the three-meter diving events. "I need to keep improving and be more consistent toward A-10's," Theis said. "I want to keep learning more difficult dives, and hopefully halfway through the season I'll be able to compete with them."

Since 2001, the Bonnies' swimming and diving teams have benefited from the work of Theis and Kozlowski.

"I think they both have a shot at the A-10 title. Randy and Maureen have the talent, and now it depends on how hard they work all year to reach that point," Manion said. "If they want the title, they can both make it happen."