2005-2006 Outlook
Lucy Eccleston
Lucy Eccleston

Kathryn Alexander
Kathryn Alexander

Marie Lehner
Marie Lehner

Teresa Herrmann
Teresa Herrmann

Talent. Enthusiasm. Passion. Pride. These qualities are some of the most apparent in the members of the 2005-2006 Lion swimmers and divers. The finishing touches on the Uris Pool renovation and the addition of one of the strongest recruiting classes to the program promises to bring even more excitement to the team. The Lions will look to make vast improvements in their league finish and find a podium spot at the Ivy League Championships come February.

The newest Lions are posed to make a large and immediate impact on the program. With 13 new faces hailing from all areas of the US and Canada this group will be sure to make an impression from the start. The backstroke corps will experience immediate improvement with Charlotte Chiang, Rachel Coburn, Lauren Fraley, and Bridgette McCabe all entering with times that would have scored at Ivies last season. Breaststroke will gain depth in Alex DiPalma and Megan Pierce, while the butterfly events are strengthened by Casey Weddle and Megan Brown in the 100 and 200 respectively. Weddle also looks to impress in the sprint freestyles and be a player on all of the Lion relays, as does Hannah Galey. The distance group will gain valuable experience and talent in Brown and Mary Dooe. Coburn and Brown will also add much appreciated depth in the IM.s. The addition of Melissa McCrady, Shannon Hosey, and Joanna Corby on the boards will provide depth in one of the Lions strongest disciplines and go a long way in replacing the talent lost with the graduation of Teresa Herrmann and Grace Coyle.

After a stellar first year, the class of 2008 is poised to cement their reputation as great teammates and ferocious competitors with a drive to win. Breaststroke standout Amy Krakauer looks to improve on her performances from her first year, though there were not many people ahead of her. Krakauer placed 5th in both the 100 (1:04.61) and 200 (2:19.08) breaststrokes at Ivies and also notched a third lifetime best (2:08.32) on her way to a 16th place finish in the 200 IM. Joining her in her in the consols of the 200 IM was classmate Madeleine Merrill who, along with Leila Forrence, will be aiming to prove herself in the 200 IM as well as the 100 and 200 freestyles. Another noteable freestyler last season was Kate Head, the recipient of the teams .Most Improved Award.. With best times in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle at Ivies, and in most dual meets throughout last season, she looks to move into the upper echelons of Ivy sprinting in her sophomore year. Helen Juden also appears poised for a breakthrough year, and should be a force to be reckoned with in the short freestyles. Watch for Caitlin Kevins, Megan Marino and Lisa Rohrs to lead a strong Lion butterfly contingent as all experienced success in their first year with the program. Diver Juliet DeFransico will be called on to the lead a young group of divers and after a 15th place 3-meter finish at Ivies in her first season appears ready to answer the call.

The Junior class has abundant talent across the board, and looks to lead the team both in and out of the water as upper class swimmers. The class of 2007 boasts one of the most versatile team members in captain Mary .Pokey. McCue. After placing 4th in the 200 IM, and 12th in both the 100 and 200 freestyles at Ivies in her first year she was forced to switch her events due to injury. Swimming the 50 and 100 freestyle (11th-24.03, 9th-51.69) and 100 backstroke (11th-58.09) as well as relays, she was able to record all lifetime bests, and was the fastest Lion in all three of her individual events. Also a stellar freestyler, though at the opposite end of the distance spectrum, is Lauren Morford. One of the most consistent performers throughout the league in the distance events Morford finished in the top eight of all her events (500, 1000, 1650) at last years Ivies. Her work ethic in practice is reflected by her training partners, Kaki Dudley and Kathryn Taylor. Both joined Morford on the top five dual meet performers list in the 200 and 500 freestyle, Taylor was also on the list in the 1000 and 1650 and Dudley in the 200 fly and 400 IM. Sarah Fisher and Libby Merrill will be relied on to lead the butterfly delegation as they are two of the Lions strongest performers in both distances of the stroke. They will have help from Kelly McConnell who is the team record holder in the 100 butterfly as well as being the top dual meet performer in the 50, 100, and 200 backstrokes. Leslie Bailey looks to be a mainstay of the sprint events, especially in the 200 medley and freestyle relays.

The remaining captain of the 2005-2006 squad is Senior Susannah Knox, one of the teams most tenacious competitors. Swimming anything from the 50 fly to the 200 breaststroke, Knox will be called on to lead the team both in and out of the pool. After swimming to top 16 finishes in the 100 fly (21st-58.52) 100 breaststroke (13th-1:06.21), and 200 breaststroke (12th-2:23.90) at Ivies she will be aiming to improve both her times and places in her final year as a Lion.

All in all, it should be another very exciting year for women.s swimming and diving. The group is excited to challenge themselves and each other to make a move into the top half of the league this coming February. Stay tuned!