12/08/2007

WORCESTER, MASS. 12/08/07 - The Clark University womens swim and dive team improved their dual meet record to 4-2 with a pair of victories over Babson College (129-87) and Mount Holyoke College (124-101) in a double-dual meet on Saturday afternoon. The Cougar men fell to Babson, 134-80.

The Mount Holyoke women posted a 128-97 victory over Babson.

In preparation for the winter break, head coach Paul Phillips said, "We had a solid final meet of the semester. Our focus was to compete hard and maintain a high level of enthusiasm throughout the entire meet. They did that, and it certainly showed in their performances."

Clark won five out of nine individual events on the way to the victory. First-years Elizabeth Rosen (North Attleboro, Mass.) and Britney Wigley (Newport Beach, Cali.) each picked up a pair of wins to lead the Cougars. Rosen saw first place finishes in the 1,000-yard freestyle (11:20.15) and 200-yard individual medley (2:24.26), while Wigley, who was named this week's Cougar of the Week, won the 200-yard free (2:04.23) and the 500-yard free (5:27.21).

Competing in her final meet of the season before going abroad, junior Jess Cullen (Milford, Conn.) captured the 100-yard backstroke in a season-best time of 1:06.82. Junior Korin Danchise-Curtis (Reading, Mass.), who will study in London next semester, swam a lifetime-best with her fifth place finish in the 500-free (5:56.63).

"Korin and Jess are a big part of this team and will be missed," Phillips said.

Junior Jessica Baker (Queensbury, N.Y.) placed second on both the 1-meter (167.45) and 3-meter (205.85) boards.

On the mens side, Alex Donnenfeld (New York, N.Y.) was a dual-winner with his first place performances in the 200-yard IM (2:25.28) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:12.12). Rookie Dan Howard (Bow, N.H.) and sophomore Curtis Reid (Shrewsbury, Mass.) also garnered wins in the 100-yard butterfly (59.88) and 500-yard freestyle (5:24.93), respectively.

Clark is off until Saturday, January 12 when they return to the pool for a men's dual meet against Wheaton College and Vassar College and a women's double dual meet versus Wellesley College, Wheaton and Vassar in Wellesley, Mass.