University of Maine Women's Swimming

Lizzotte maintained Maine's growth while mentoring her first head coach recruiting class through the ranks and seeing senior Naji Harvey break multiple school records. In her third season with the Black Bears, Lizzotte continued to build the program up along with bringing in several key contributors in her recruiting efforts. Under Lizzotte's guidance at the 2012 America East Championships, a total of 19-school records fell as each team continued to build. On the women's side the squad scored 70.5 points higher than the season before while finishing in sixth place, its best finish under Lizzotte's leadership. On the men's side, a number of records continued to fall as the men continued to climb, finishing fifth overall in the conference. In 2011-12, Lizzotte and her staff continued to bring in the talent needed to rise to the top of the standings as numerous underclassmen made an immediate impact in the pool with several records falling to the likes of freshmen. The swimming and diving program continued on the incline in Lizzotte's second year, as both squads showed solid improvements during the 2010-11 campaign. The mens team improved its record to 5-3 and earned a fourth-place finish at the America East Championships, its highest finish since the 1990 season. The women also made significant advances as they finished at 5-6, scoring 237 points at the Championships, an advancement from the year before in which they tallied 209 points. The records continued to fall under Lizzotte in 2010-11 as Jeremy Bender improved his own record in the 400 IM to a time of 4:05.52 while Andrew Meehan set a new mark in the 100 fly at 50.71. The women really turned things up under Lizzottes guidance in her second year as seven records fell. Caitlin Shelley snapped the 100 breast and 200 IM records as Erica Smircina, Lauren Thornbrough and Jenn Trodden put new marks on the 100 fly, 200 fly and 200 breast. The womens team also set new records in both the 200 and 400 medley relays. Lizzotte had a very successful first season at the helm of the Black Bears swimming and diving teams. Both teams improved in the wins column from the year before under Lizzottes guidance and leadership. Maine also broke school records in six different events at the America East Championships. Lizzotte had a hand in breaking her own record in the 200 fly as she coached senior Meag Fisher to the new school-record in 2010. Lizzotte finished an outstanding career swimming for the Black Bears in 1999, and joined the program as an assistant coach in 2000. A four-year MVP of the program, she won four America East individual event titles, set six school records and earned two scholar athlete awards before graduating in 1999. She served as captain her senior year. Her leadership, work ethic and ability to bring out the best in others have made her a great addition to the Maine coaching staff. Susan and her husband, Jaret, have two children, Jackson and Olivia.

Costello, a 2012 graduate of UMaine who was captain of the team her senior year, was a four-year scholar athlete and earned the Most Improved Swimmer Award in her freshman year. She also won the Senior Service Award in 2012.   Costello was a Black Bear Swim and Stroke Clinic Instructor during her time at the University and upon graduation has had two coaching jobs. She has served as the Black Bear Aquatic Assistant Coach and the head coach of a new club: American Family Fitness. Costello has worked with the Athletic Department in Ticket Sales in 2012-13, and brings experience with many different aspects of the department. While on the team, Costello competed in the backstroke, freestyle, and IM. As an addition to the coaching staff, Linda will look to use her leadership skills and experience to help the team grow and improve this season.

Capossela had a stellar career diving for the Black Bears. Capossela currently holds both the 1M (265.75) and 3M (279.65) school-records.