01/25/2008
Swim & Dive Teams Gear Up for Worcester City Meet

WORCESTER, MASS. 01/25/08 - The Clark University men's and women's swimming and diving team will join their fellow Worcester contenders at Holy Cross this Friday and Saturday for the eighth annual Worcester City Championship Meet.

This year, the Cougars will compete against three opponents, including Holy Cross, WPI and Assumption College, who recently added a women's swim and dive team to their program.

It marks one of the few times this season the Cougars will have the opportunity to compete in a championship format. Coach Paul E. Phillips hopes this test will prepare the team for their end of the season championships.

"I am hoping and expecting strong performances from everyone, right up and down the roster," said Phillips. "Everyone has a chance to contribute and possibly surpass their own times. We are looking for some individual top performances this weekend."

Last year, Clark took second place in the meet, falling only to Holy Cross. "Holy Cross is definitely a step up in competition. If we can spend the weekend showing cohesiveness, support and enthusiasm, this can be a launching pad for the last month of the season," Phillips said.

The nature of this meet is all about the spirit and conviviality amongst the competitors. Phillips adds, "Barry Parenteau's (the Holy Cross Coach) father started their team back in the 1950's and Barry really established the meet and the spirit of the meet - a fun and loose atmosphere with an opportunity for the area teams to get to know each other. The Clark team is eclectic. This will be a chance to show who we really are and what we can do."

Another unique bit that goes along with this annual event are the special awards named after former participants or coaches from each school. Clark provides the awards for Women's Swimmer of the Meet and the Women's Diver of the Meet, named after a pair of four time All-Americans Cathy Desrosiers '82 and Beth Ferraro '88, respectively. Last year, Clark's very own Dana Akerfelds 10 took home the Cathy Desrosiers Swimmer of the Meet award after setting a new meet mark in the 500-yard freestyle.

Finishing last season on one of the strongest peaks in the past five years, Phillips is confident that the Cougars can take home some wins in their events this weekend. The women are loaded with a deep bench, and some strong young performers including a list of first-years who have been reeling in points over the past few meets. On the mens side, Drew Jackson '09, a school record-holder will be a bright spot for Clark, along with some of his teammates who have returned from studying abroad last semester.

"It is our goal to have an efficient weekend, to be prepared and ready to compete in a championship atmosphere. We will take this performance and use it to help us prepare for whats down the line," said Phillips.

By: Sarah Hunsucker '08, Sports Information Intern