Despite five straight losses to tough opponents, the women's swimming and diving team is still looking up when it comes to the season.
On Jan. 14 and 15, the women's swimming team faced Johns Hopkins University and West Chester University of Pennsylvania in a tri-meet. While the College lost both meets and dropped to 1-5 on the season, head coach Jennifer Harnett has been impressed with her team's performance.
"I have been extremely happy when it comes to individual times, coming together as a team and their level of training," she said.
Junior tri-captain Erin Stutz came in second in the 200 fly with her time of 2:13.92, followed by freshman Ava Kiss in third in 2:14.64.
"Erin Stutz is well ahead of where I expected," Harnett said.
In the 400 medley relay, senior tri-captain Jackie Whitty, junior Karen Bocian, Kiss and junior Beth Hurley raced to a fourth-place finish in 4:21.53.
Meanwhile, sophomore diver Lee Swanson continued her impressive season against West Chester. She won the three-meter event with an NCAA qualifying score of 279.80, while placing second in the one-meter with another NCAA qualifying mark of 229.95.
"She is having a phenomenal season," Harnett said. "She has made a qualifying score for nationals in almost every meet."
Swanson was named Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Co-Diver of the Week for the second time this season.
Despite the team's poor record thus far, Harnett is optimistic about the team's upcoming meets.
"It's been a really tough schedule this year," Harnett said, noting that the team has faced some of the top Division II and III schools in the nation. "Once we get to conference meets, that's when the girls are really going to shine."
The College will travel to face conference rival Rowan tonight at 6 p.m. The Lions will be back home on Saturday at 2 p.m. to face New York University (NYU).
Meanwhile, the College's men's swimming team stands at 3-3 after losses to Hopkins and West Chester on Jan. 14 and 15.
The Lions did put up some impressive times. Junior tri-captain Steve Swenson placed second in the 200 breast with his time of 2:11.76, while senior tri-captain Nick Steffanci took third in the 50 free in 22.17.
The 400 free relay team of junior Jeff Glenn, sophomore Kyle King, senior tri-captain Chris Levin and Steffanci came in second with a time of 3:13.07.
The Lions will face the Profs of Rowan University tonight at 6 p.m. They will be home on Saturday to face NYU and the United States Merchant Marine Academy at 2 p.m.
