The Stanley Wallace Pool is once again frothing with activity these days as the University of Maine swimming and diving teams stroke their way into the 2002-03 season.

Coach Jeff Wren returns, having been affiliated with the Black Bear program since its inception in 1971. After swimming and men’s soccer were spared from possible elimination by the university in May, Wren has kept UMaine on course to remain competitive in America East.

That’s not to say the situation wasn’t costly.

“I thought on April 15 we were going to have at least three more solid new people,” Wren said. “They were victims of the negative publicity.”

UMaine features 48 swimmers and divers, 24 of which hail from Maine.

Last winter, the UMaine women finished third in the conference championships, which again will be held in Orono. Wren hopes his squad can remain in the top five this year.

“It’s going to be a tough spot to hang onto,” admitted Wren. “We have a decent chance at maybe doing it.”

Leading the way for the Bears is junior Katrine Alcaide of Harpswell. She won the 50-yard freestyle at the AE championships last season, anchored the winning 200 free relay unit, and swam free on UMaine’s second-place 200 medley relay team. She also took seventh in the 100 breaststroke.

Other mainstays include junior backstroker Stephanie Smietana (first in 400 medley relay, second in 200 medley relay, third in 200 back, fifth in 100 back in AE championships) and butterfly-freestyle standout Kate Abbott of Readfield (first in 200 free relay, third in 400 free relay, fourth in 400 IM, fifth in 200 IM).

UMaine also will look to senior Heather Krebs in the fly, IM and free, along with senior fly specialist Marcy Barrows of Westbrook and sophomore freestyle and butterfly swimmer Karin Feldman.

“We’re very different, particularly on the women’s side,” Wren said. “It’s a real good group of workers. We’re not that powerful in the sprints, but we’ve got a lot of versatility in the middle-distance events and IMs.”

Among the promising newcomers are Crystie McGrail (free, IM), Brittany Harrington (IM, breaststroke, free), and Danielle Parrott of South Portland (back, free).

The UMaine men traditionally have a tougher time hanging with the America East elite and this season should be no different. Even so, Wren is pleased with the current crew.

“Our men don’t have a lot of traditional recruits, but we have a number of people who came in through the side door, and we saw some potential there,” said Wren, who pointed out some of the squad’s shortcomings.

The Bears’ most glaring weakness is in the backstroke, which has been a problem in recent years.

“The men are not real well-balanced,” he said. “We’ve got some big holes in the lineup.”

Among the pacesetters for the UMaine men is Jake Jentzer of Bangor. The senior scored in seven different events, including relays, at last year’s America East championships. He won the 100 free and was second in the 50 free and 200 free.

Last season, Jentzer set the school record in the 100 butterfly, eclipsing a mark that had stood since 1978.

“He’s one of the top kids in the conference, no question,” Wren said.

Senior Nick Baser is another of the Bears’ top performers. He placed third in the 200 breaststroke at the America East meet and also took fifth in the 200 individual medley and sixth in the 100 breaststroke.

Senior Elbert Blanchard of South Portland lends his talents in the freestyle events, while senior Gene Connolly is a veteran in the IM and free swims. Senior Dan Donohue provides leadership and experience in the fly and free events, while senior freestyler John Delehanty of Belfast is another veteran.

Senior Scott Machinist also contributes points in the fly and IM.

Among the younger swimmers, freshman Zach Weinman is a versatile back and breaststroke man, while sophomore freestyler Zach Gray of Windsor is improving steadily.

Senior Kris Talarico of Auburn is the Bears’ top threat in the diving. He placed second in the 1-meter competition in the league title meet last season and took fourth in the 3-meter.

The Bears will get a boost in January when Andy Magiera of Surry and Chris Nicholas become eligible.