The University of Maine men’s swimming and diving team is one that has survived by virtue of hardworking, dedicated athletes.

Even after the program was earmarked for elimination several years ago – it wasn’t – and while working without the benefit of athletic scholarships, the Black Bears have continued to remain competitive on the America East scene.

This season, after the restructuring of the conference, coach Jeff Wren’s team hopes to make a little bit bigger splash.

With perennial league powers Delaware and Drexel, along with Hofstra and Towson, having moved to the Colonial Athletic Association, UMaine may have a chance to make its presence felt to a greater extent.

“With the men, the landscape’s changed considerably, which hopefully will help more of our kids feel like they can be successful and get spots in the finals [of the conference championships],” Wren said.

Among the three America East newcomers, Binghamton and Stony Brook have solid programs, Wren explained. Albany does not field swim teams.

While the competition may be a bit more even, the Bears are looking for more production out of fewer people. The team’s top swimmer, Jamie Cunningham, transferred to Maine Maritime Academy in Castine to become a merchant marine.

Among the leaders for UMaine is senior captain Brian Forrestall, who was a league finalist in three freestyle events last season. Junior Nick Baser is a versatile backstroke and freestyle sprinter and junior Gene Connolly of South Berwick contributes in distance freestyle and butterfly events.

Junior Dan Donohue was a finalist in the butterfly events and the 500 free last season, while senior captain Kevin Fox of South Portland, a breaststroker, and junior Elbert Blanchard, also of South Portland, are among the Bears’ hardworking swimmers.

In January, the Bears should receive another boost when junior transfer Jake Jentzer of Bangor becomes eligible. He’ll swim freestyle and butterfly events.

“He will be one of the best swimmers in the conference,” Wren said. “That will really improve our team. When you can go into a meet and figure on winning a couple of events, that’s a plus.”

The UMaine men are off to a 2-1 start after beating Vermont on Saturday.

The women’s squad has been more competitive overall in recent years and should be steady once again. UMaine, 3-0 after Saturday’s win at Vermont, is blessed to have America East’s premier swimmer, Krystal Fogler.

The senior from New Rochelle, N.Y., has earned Outstanding Swimmer honors at the America East Championships in each of the last two years. The well-rounded Fogler swims backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle.

“Her back and her free are her best events,” Wren said. “She won the two backstroke events in the conference the last two years and was second in the 50 free last year to a teammate.”

Fogler will utilize her butterfly skills mostly on relays.

The Bears aren’t blessed with a lot of first-year talent, but do boast a formidable sophomore class. That group includes free and fly specialist Katrine Alcaide of Harpswell, freestyler and individual medley competitor Kate Abbott of Readfield, and freestyler Kate Muir of Trenton.

Another top sophomore is Stephanie Smietana, who appears to be well on her way to surpassing last season’s performances.

“She’s a very good underwater swimmer,” Wren said. “We’re working on her maximizing her allowable time underwater.”

Senior Griffin O’Connor is another swimmer who last year threatened the school’s 200-yard breaststroke record. The distance freestyle events may be one of the challenges facing the women’s squad.

The Bears are trying to develop their diving corps, which is a largely unproven group of converted gymnasts, tennis players, and other athletes. UMaine has a group of seven divers, including junior Kris Talarico of Auburn, junior Asheley Simpson of Old Town, and freshman Sarah Brown, also of Old Town.

“They’re all in the developmental stages in one way or another,” Wren said. “Very few of them even dove before they got here.”

UMaine will host the conference championships next winter. In the meantime, team members will work on building their performances to a crescendo for the title meet.

“I would say at this point we’re both slightly down from last year,” Wren said of his teams. “We only graduated two women, but two others, for various reasons, are not back who scored points for us.”