Ephs head to Wesleyan in search of 8th straight NESCAC Crown

Steve Kuster's Williams women's swimming & diving team heads to Middletown, CT this weekend as seven-time defending NESCAC Champions. The three-day event begins on Friday, Feb. 22 with preliminary heats in the morning and championship races in the evening. The 2008 NESCAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship will take place at the Wesleyan Natatorium on the campus of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.

Williams won last year’s NESCAC crown at home by the slimmest margin in championship history - only 156.5 points - over rival Amherst.

"If we are going to win an 8th title in a row, we will need to do it with depth," notes Kuster.  "We have a few swimmers who will place very high in several events, but we are not nearly as top heavy as some other teams. Our strength is our depth. If we are 24 strong at the meet, with everyone contributing, I think we can get it done."

Amherst and Middlebury are expected to provide the biggest challenges to the Ephs extending their streak of NESCAC Championships to eight.

The Ephs have recorded the season's best time in the 800 Freestyle Relay and in three events four or five Ephs are currently in possession of top eight times. Five Ephs are in the top eight in the 200 breaststroke: Michelle Kurkul, Courtney Asher, Elizabeth Upton, Amanda Nicholson and Christina Metcalf. There are four Ephs in the top eight in the 500 free include Nicholson, Ellen Ramsey, Metcalf and Ryan McChesney. Nicholson also leads a group of four Ephs currently in the top eight in the 200 IM. Joining Nicholson is Lisa Cucolo, Ramsey and Kurkul.

Juniors Amanda Nicholson and Mary Molen are the only Ephs entering the championships with the fastest time in an individual event this winter. Nicholson recorded a time of 4:34.80 in the 400 IM and Molen was timed in 10:33.46 in the 1000 Freestyle. The Ephs also have the second and third fastest times in the 400 IM with Ellen Ramsey second in 4:35.24 and Crissy Haley third in 4:38.33.

"It seems as though the league is much deeper this year than in past years; Amherst and Middlebury both pose serious threats to our streak," said Kuster. "Even though the team is on the young side, they have been game every time there has been a challenge this year.  I am hopeful that they will again be ready to respond to the challenge and do whatever it takes to keep the Championship at Williams."

200 yard Freestyle Relay
50 yard Breaststroke
50 yard Butterfly
500 yard Freestyle
50 yard Backstroke
200 yard Individual Medley
50 yard Freestyle
400 yard Medley Relay
1 Meter Diving

Finals -- 6:00 P.M.
200 yard Freestyle Relay
50 yard Breaststroke
50 yard Butterfly
500 yard Freestyle
50 yard Backstroke
200 Individual Medley
50 yard Freestyle
1-meter Diving (Top 8 Qualifiers)
400 yard Medley Relay
    
Saturday -- February 23
Trials -- 10:00 A.M.
200 yard Medley Relay
400 yard Individual Medley
100 yard Butterfly
200 yard Freestyle
100 yard Breaststroke
100 yard Backstroke
1000 Freestyle (Timed Finals)

Finals -- 5:50 P.M.
Senior Ceremony
200 yard Medley Relay
1000 yard Freestyle
(Last Heat of Timed Finals)
400 Individual Medley
100 yard Butterfly
200 yard Freestyle
100 yard Breaststroke
100 yard Backstroke
800 yard Freestyle Relay
    
Sunday, February 24
Trials -- 10:00 A.M.
200 yard Backstroke
100 yard Freestyle
200 yard Breaststroke
200 yard Butterfly
400 yard Freestyle Relay
1650 Freestyle (Timed Finals)
3-meter Diving

Finals -- 5:30 P.M.
1650 yard Freestyle
(Last Heat of Timed Finals)
200 yard Backstroke
100 yard Freestyle
200 yard Breaststroke
200 yard Butterfly
3-meter Diving (Top 8 Qualifiers)
400 yard Freestyle Relay

NESCAC Awards & Team Awards