2009-10 Swimming Preview: Garnet Women Poised for Successful Season
Led by key seniors and talented underclassmen, the 2009-10 Swarthmore College women’s swimming team has high hopes of repeating and even exceeding the success of the program in recent years. That recent success includes three straight top-three finish at the Centennial Conference Championships and three-consecutive years of scoring points at the Division III national meet. Despite the high expectations, there is optimism surrounding Ware Pool that this squad has what it takes to keep up the winning tradition of Swarthmore swimming.
Senior captain Miller will lead the Garnet women in 09-10.
Legendary head coach Sue Davis and the Garnet will rely on its trio of experienced seniors to succeed in 2009/10: Anne Miller, Casey Osborn and Claire Shelden. In the course of her Swarthmore career, Miller has become one of the most decorated swimmers in school history. She is a five-time All-American butterflier who owns five school records (1650 freestyle, 1000 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 200 butterfly, 400 medley relay). Last season, she earned All-American status in the 200 butterfly last year, finishing fifth overall. She also swam the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle. Her three straight top-five finishes in the 200 at the national meet are a team first.
The Garnet will also rely on a strong junior class, led by Stephanie Su, the reigning conference champion in the 200 breaststroke. Allison Bishop is one of he top distance freestylers in the Centennial Conference, and Chelsea Brett, coming off a silver medal in the 200 freestyle, will lead the team in the sprint events. Many sophomores made an immediate impact as freshmen in 2008-09 and should perform well this year. Rosalie Lawrence made multiple conference finals in breaststroke and the individual medley. Naomi Glassman consistently scored points in sprint freestyle and butterfly.
Depth will be key to Swarthmore’s success in the ’09-’10 meets. The Garnet return nearly all of its top relay swimmers, so those will be expected to contribute a lot of points. Underclassmen should add points as well. Coach Davis brought in six freshmen from across the country—a span of Connecticut to California. The depth they provide will be crucial for Swarthmore.
Swarthmore faces a challenging start to the season—the first three dual meets are all away, starting with a November 4th engagement with local-rival Widener at 6:00 p.m. The Garnet will settle down after the first three meets, not leaving the comfort of Ware Pool until February. Highlights of the home season include the inaugural Swarthmore Invitational December 4-5. Swarthmore opens the Centennial dual meet schedule on November 7 at 2:00 p.m. with a visit to McDaniel.