02/22/2008
Women's Swim and Dive Set for NEWMAC Championships
WORCESTER, MASS. 02/21/08 - The Clark University women's swim and dive team hope the two-week lull has prepared them for the three-day New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Championship (NEWMAC) meet set to begin this weekend at Wellesley College.
After posting their highest finish (7th) since 2002 and setting 71-season best performances and 41 career records at last years meet, the Cougars hope to turn in significant marks this year as well.
Clark boasts a pair of new faces to this year's meet. First-years Britney Wigley and Elizabeth Rosen, both consistent team front-runners this winter, will try their hand at stunning the competition.
"Veterans" to the NEWMAC championship format, sophomores Dana Akerfelds and Corri Stewart will look to make an impact in the backstroke. Hampered by injury this season, Akerfelds, who set two new school marks at last year's event, returns just in time for NEWMAC's, while Stewart came on strong in the stroke towards the end of the regular season. Juniors Kayleigh Lagasse and Lindsey Stone also hope to make their mark in the butterfly and freestyle events, respectively.
Following last winter's championship performance, junior Jess Baker moved to third on Clark's all-time 3-meter board and will challenge in both diving events once again.
Seniors Kara Bochicchio, Caitlin Hanson, Jessica Moise, and Marjorie Whalen will look to stamp their careers with personal bests.
The Clark women do not have an easy lane ahead, however. They will be up against seven-time NEWMAC Champion Springfield College and 20th ranked MIT.
Although it will be a daunting weekend both mentally and physically, the Cougars are up for the challenge.
"The team seems unified and excited," said head coach Paul E. Phillips. "Each person has a chance to contribute to the overall success of the group and that is our main goal - to have everybody add something positive over the course of the weekend."
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