February 20, 2009

Springfield Takes Early Lead at NEWMAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championship

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Behind two event victories, including a three-second win in the 400 medley relay, Springfield College has built a strong lead through the first day of the 2009 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. The Pride scored 290 points on the first day of competition, while Wheaton (206) and MIT (201) wrapped up opening day in second and third, respectively.

Wheaton fueled an exciting start to the championship with a new pool, meet, and open conference record in the 200 free relay. The unit comprised of Stephany Perkins, Nicole Zais, Samantha Farrell, and Dania Piscetta split 1:35.21 to out-touch Springfield, which also surpassed the previous records with a time of 1:35.65. MIT finished third in the race, with all three teams securing NCAA "B" cuts.

Coast Guard's Kimberly Shadwick clipped the meet and open NEWMAC records en route to a nine-second win in the 500 free (5:00.10), while Wheaton's Piscetta replicated the feat with a victory in the 200 IM (2:07.97). Although no records were set in the 50 free, Springfield senior Moira Price swam to an NCAA "A" cut after winning in 23.71. Kate Sorenson of Wellesley totaled 497.20 for a commanding victory in one-meter diving, although the top six finishers all achieved an NCAA qualifying score.

For complete results click here.

Team Standings
1. Springfield                         290
2. Wheaton                           206
3. MIT                                    201
4. Coast Guard                      139
5. Wellesley                           91
6. Clark                                  86
7. WPI                                    82
8. Babson                               67
9. Smith                                  43
10. Mount Holyoke                  35

Event Winners/First Team All-Conference
200 Yard Freestyle Relay                    Wheaton                                             1:35.21 B+*#
                (Stephany Perkins, Nicole Zais, Samantha Farrell, Dania Piscetta)
500 Yard Freestyle                              Kimberly Shadwick, Coast Guard        5:00.10 B+*
200 Yard IM                                        Dania Piscetta, Wheaton                    2:07.97 B+*
50 Yard Freestyle                                Moira Price, Springfield                        23.71 A
1-Meter Diving                                    Kate Sorenson, Wellesley                   497.20
400 Yard Medley Relay                        Springfield                                           3:54.95 B+*
                (Kallie Pottle, Moira Price, Kaitlin Reilly, Aimee Doe)

Second Team All-Conference
200 Yard Freestyle Relay                    Springfield                                            1:35.65 B
                (Moira Price, Caroline Kosciusko, Jaclyn Van Waalwijk, Kaitlin Reilly)
500 Yard Freestyle                              Aimee Doe, Springfield                        5:09.45
200 Yard IM                                        Megan Cooney, Springfield                 2:09.74 B
50 Yard Freestyle                                Nicole Zais, Wheaton                          23.86 B
1-Meter Diving                                    Michelle Reggio, Springfield                 452.75
400 Yard Medley Relay                        Wheaton                                             3:57.71 B
                (Iris Meehan, Stephany Perkins, Dania Piscetta, Nicole Zais)

A - NCAA "A" Standard
B - NCAA "B" Standard
+ - NEWMAC Open Record
* - NEWMAC Meet Record
# - Pool Record