Day 1 Results
SOUTH HADLEY, MA (January 23, 2010) – Despite standing in fourth place out of five teams at the 2010 Seven Sisters Swimming and Diving Championship hosted by Mount Holyoke College, the Vassar College women’s swimming and diving team had an impressive Saturday, with six first place finishes through the first 13 events. With only 15 swimmers at the Championships due to injury and JYA, the Brewers turned in an impressive showing at the annual event.
Twelve-time defending champion Wellesley College leads the field after one day of competition as the Blue used their depth to pile up 745 points. They will enter the second and final day of the competition with a comfortable lead over second place Smith College (476). Rounding out the five team field are host Mount Holyoke (445), Vassar (431) and Bryn Mawr College (341). The Championship will conclude with seven more events tomorrow beginning at 10:00 a.m.
“We swam lights out today,” said interim head coach Paul Kueterman. “Although it was tough with only 15 swimmers, everyone really stepped up and it was such a team effort. I’m so proud of what we were able to accomplish.”
The dynamic duo of freshman
Shannon Sara and sophomore
Caroline Shannon had a tremendous day. Both picked up two individual and one relay win. Additionally, Vassar’s diving team of sophomore
Christie Musket, freshman
Carolyn McLean, and sophomore
Amelia Couture had an impressive showing in the 1-meter event.
“Shannon and Caroline have swam so well all season, and to see them perform like that today was a great testament to the work they’ve put in,” said Kueterman. “And to see our divers take three of the top five spots was incredible.”
Sara took home a win in the first individual event of the day, cruising to a victory in the 500 Free (5:19.93), almost six seconds in front of Bryn Mawr’s Cea Weaver.
The Brewers picked up their second triumph of the day in the 200 IM (2:16.42), as Shannon finished just in front of Lily Seidman (2:17.49) of Smith.
Displaying its improved all-around depth, Vassar jumped up in the standings with a strong showing in the 1-meter diving competition. Musket took home top honors (340.95), while freshman teammate McLean earned third place (296.35). The duo sandwiched Smith’s Isabelle Harper who claimed second place (320.45). Diving captain Couture also fared well, with a fifth place finish (266.90).
The Brewers carried momentum into the second swimming session, where they recorded top times in each of the first two events.
Sara, Shannon, junior
Meg McCarty and senior
Jordana Jantze combined for a win in the 200 Medley Relay (1:57.06). They finished just in front of Mount Holyoke’s foursome of junior Michelle Kroll, Schonborn, Burton and Bowers (1:57.85).
The 400 IM was a highlight 1-2 event for Vassar. Sara continued to roll with a victory in 4:45.28, followed by Shannon (4:49.61) and Wellesley’s Hilary Gram (4:57.58).
Shannon recorded her second win of the day in the 100 Breast (1:10.70), where she slipped past Wellesley’s Jackson (1:11.10) and Mount Holyoke’s Schonborn (1:11.69).
Sara also had a strong swim in the 100 Back, placing second in 1:03.87, behind Seidman of Smith (1:03.79).