Women's Swimming & Diving
2007-08 Season Recap
The Clark University women’s swim and dive team polished off the 2007-08 campaign with a 5-6 overall record and an 8th place finish (184 points) at the NEWMAC Championships. The Cougars fared well against a tough line-up of competition this season with the addition of strong first-year swimmers, Britney Wigley and Elizabeth Rosen leading the way. The team posted wins over UMass-Dartmouth and Gordon College; experienced success over conference foes Babson College, Mt. Holyoke College, and WPI; and defeated WPI and Assumption College en route to a second place finish at the Worcester City Meet at Holy Cross, where first-year Elizabeth Rosen won two events to earn the swimmer of the meet runner-up nod. She took first in the 1,650-yard freestyle with a new meet time of 18:18.22 and won the 400-individual medley.
Rosen also set new Clark records in the 200-yard freestyle (2:00.01), the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:47.70) and the 1,650-yard freestyle (17:53.52) at the NEWMAC Championships. Rosen, along with classmate Brittney Wigley were amongst the top-10 swimmers in the NEWMAC for the 500, 1,000, and 1,650 freestyle this season.
Six of the Cougar women made the NEWMAC All-Academic team, including seniors Kara Bochicchio, a three-time recipient, and Caitlin Hanson, and juniors Jessica Baker, Korin Danchise-Curtis and Kayleigh Lagasse and sophomore Corri Stewart.
By Sarah Hunsucker, Sports Information Intern
2007-08 Season Outlook
After a banner year, the Clark University women’s swim and dive team return with high hopes for an even better 2007-08 campaign. The Cougars, who finished last year with a 7-5 dual meet mark, not only posted their second consecutive winning season, but also claimed its highest finish at the NEWMAC Championships (7th) in four years and increased their point total from the previous season by 62 points.
“Our schedule is going to be a bit tougher this season,” said head coach Paul E. Phillips, entering his fifth season at the helm. “We added Wellesley College, Coast Guard Academy and Vassar College – all solid programs that will help us get to the next level.”
Although the Cougars lost six seniors to graduation, depth certainly won’t be a concern for this year’s squad. “Our roster is more defined in terms of people’s roles this season,” Phillips said. “Some members of the team have developed over the past couple of years and have matured into their natural events, whereas before, they would compete in a variety of races. Now we are at a point where they can focus on their specialty stroke.”
Leading the list of returnees are senior breaststrokers Kara Bochicchio, Marjorie Whalen and Jessica Moise, as well as seniors Cassie Crawford, a sprinter, and freestyler Caitlin Hanson. Both Bochicchio and Whalen are steady and experienced veterans expected to provide leadership in and out of the pool, while Moise, a tri-captain, blossomed late last season with her first-ever NEWMAC finals appearance in the 200-yard breaststroke. Crawford and Hanson, also tri-captains, should flourish in their final campaign.
“We’ve got a strong group of seniors,” Phillips said. “They each bring something different to the table and are going to provide a great brand of leadership this year.”
Clark is well-armed in the backstroke competition; where sophomore Dana Akerfelds, who was just .01 seconds off a new school mark in the 100-yard back, broke records in the 50- and 200-yard backstroke, and junior Jessica Cullen scored key points in two individual events (100/200-back) at last year’s conference meet. Additionally, second-year swimmer Corri Stewart will look to make her mark after an all-time top-five backstroke performance leading-off the 200-yard medley relay. Junior Korin Danchise-Curtis and first-year Tracy Lindboe from East Brunswick, N.J. will also be in the mix.
Junior Kayleigh Lagasse and sophomore Alicia Roman will provide a strong tandem in the butterfly, while improving sophomore Chelsea Hyatt will also be a factor. Junior Lindsey Stone and sophomores Laura Banulski and Katie MacDowell are expected to boost the up-and-coming sprint group, and second-year Maggie Broad will add her talent to the cause. “It’s going to be very important for our sprinters to continue developing,” said Phillips. “Their growth is going to be a core piece of the puzzle this year.”
With a year under their belts, sophomores Chelsea Foley and Nicole Rogers look to make an impact in mid-distance and distance events. Promising newcomers Elizabeth Rosen from North Attleboro, Mass. and Newport Beach, Cali., native Britney Wigley give the Cougars added strength to mid-distance and distance races, respectively.
Junior Jessica Baker will play a pivotal role as the team’s lone diver. She tallied points on both boards at last winter’s NEWMAC meet on the way to a third place finish on Clark’s all-time list.
Not to be overlooked in the mix is first-year Emily Rouleau, an improving breaststroker with the potential to have a superb season. Newcomers Lauren Smith (freestyle), Jennifer Aballo (freestyle), Gabrielle Asay (Fly/IM) and Annie Gieseker (freestyle) should also all be contributors once they adjust to the college pace.
“The team’s depth adds competitiveness and character,” said Phillips. “No one person on the team is the same, but everyone has something in common – great attitudes and work-ethic. If everyone contributes in their own way, we have the potential for one of our best seasons yet.”
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For more information about Clark University Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving, please contact head coach Paul E. Phillips
at (508) 793-7170 or by email at pephillips@clarku.edu
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