Results

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 13, 2009) – Led by the dominant performances of seniors Allison Koenker (Huntington Beach, CA/Marina) and Emily Love (South Windsor, CT/South Windsor), the Vassar College women's swim-dive team pulled out its first ever victory over Trinity College on Tuesday at Kresge Pool. Koenker and Love won three individual and one relay race apiece, earning Vassar crucial and decisive points in the close 154-145 win.

The Brewers improve to 2-2 and travel to Pace University on Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. meet.

The women opened the meet on a strong note, as the 'A' team consisting of Love, Koenker, sophomore Meg McCarty (Wilton, CT/Wilton), and senior Jess Lentner (Florence, MA/Northampton) picked up a win in the 200 Yard Medley Relay in 1:57.71 with a comfortable 6.4 second cushion over the Trinity 'A' team (2:04.11).

For the second meet in a row, Koenker and freshman Caroline Shannon (Scarsdale, NY/Hackley School) proved a formidable tandem, finishing 1-2 in three races. Koenker, the Liberty League Swimmer of the Week, won the 100 Yard Breaststroke in 1:12.38, followed by Shannon in 1:14.24. In the 200 Yard Breaststroke, Koenker (2:36.55) narrowly out-touched Shannon (2:36.87), and she won another tight competition in the 200 Yard IM, finishing in 2:20.08, followed closely by Shannon (2:20.32).

“They're pushing each other with a very healthy camaraderie” said head coach Lisl Prater-Lee of Koenker and Shannon. “They're really feeding off each other right now, and the results are showing, in this meet and last Saturday's at Wheaton.”

Love picked up an impressive win in the 200 Yard Freestyle, in a time of 2:00.73, well ahead of the second-place Trinity finisher (2:07.35). Love then added victories in the 50 Yard Freestyle (25.52) and the 200 Yard Backstroke (2:14.66) to round out her successful meet.

Senior Charley Young (Pensacola, FL/Pensacola) and sophomore Sam Jones (Hanover, MA/Hanover) also had strong showings for the victorious Brewers. Young showed strength in the long distance freestyle, with wins in the 1000 Yard (11:29.59) and the 500 Yard (5:40.48). Young also finished second in the 200 Yard Butterfly (2:26.58). Jones was impressive in the sprints, with wins in the 100 Yard Backstroke (1:04.02) and the 100 Yard Butterfly (1:03.10).

Prater-Lee was pleased to see Jones pick up her win in butterfly shortly after competing in the 100 Yard Freestyle, a race she does not normally swim. “Because of some swimmers JYA, we really needed some people to step up,” said Prater-Lee, highlighting the performances of Jones and McCarty.

Along with her win on the 200 Yard Medley Relay team, McCarty placed third in the 100 Yard Butterfly and notched a second place finish on the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay 'A' team, along with Shannon, Jones, and Lentner (1:47.87).

“Today, we needed everyone to remember they can race fast, even if they're tired from training,” said Prater-Lee. “It was great that they were able to put it out there, get strong finishes, and swim smart. I'm seeing their confidence start to improve as they see how they can compete with anyone.”