2005 Team Preview
The Swarthmore College's women's swimming team looks to repeat past success in the upcoming 2005-2006 season. The Garnet return 18 swimmers, including three conference-medalists and 11 team members who made the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll. The addition of five freshmen, mixed with the strong cast of veterans, can fuel a strong run at the third Centennial Conference Championship in school history. This regular season, Swarthmore will participate in 11 dual meets, the two-day Franklin & Marshall Invitational, and the Centennial Conference Championships
The top returning swimmers include sophomore standout Jennie Lewis. In her freshman year she put up the top times on the team in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly, and 200 butterfly. Swimming powerfully at the Conference Championships, Lewis won five medals and set two school records.
On the first day, Lewis broke the school mark for the 50 freestyle (24.79) in the trials, and then went out that afternoon and captured the bronze medal. She got her first gold by swimming a leg on 200 freestyle as Swarthmore won the first event of the day. Lewis continued to impress on the second day, winning silver medals in the 100 butterfly and the 800 freestyle relay. She earned her fifth and final medal on the third day, helping Swarthmore's 400 freestyle relay earn a silver medal, breaking the school record in a time of 3:37.12. The time was also a provisional qualifying time for the NCAA Championships.
Frannie Zhang, another outstanding freshman in 2004-05, swam on three of the strongest relay teams: the 200 free relay, the 400 free relay, and the 800 free relay. Zhang had a team-leading performance during a Conference victory over Ursinus on November 23, winning the 100 fly and contributing to the winning 200 freestyle relay team. Look for Zhang to gather valuable points for the Garnet in both individual and team events in 2005-06.
Junior Sarah Cotcamp was a member of four top time-setting relay teams last season; the 200 free relay, the 400 free relay, the 200 medley relay, and the 400 medley relay. She was a member of the record-setting 400 freestyle relay and captured two medals at the Centennial Conference Championships. Also returning are Swarthmore's leading swimmer in the backstroke last season, senior Martyna Pospieszalaska, the top swimmer in the breaststroke, junior Michele Hom, and distance swimmer sophomore Whitney Nekoba.
The Swarthmore women will hit the pool on Wednesday, November 2 nd at Widener University. The first home meet will take place on November 19 th when Swarthmore will host NYU at Ware Pool. With a strong returning lineup full of both seasoned veterans and promising freshmen, look for Swarthmore women's swimming to challenge for another Centennial Conference Championship in 2005-2006.