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Swimmers Race To Nationals
The new millennium has proven a good start for Washington College swimmers. Combined, the women's and men's teams produced 13 NCAA national championship qualifiers, 10 Centennial Conference champions, 13 school records and six conference records.
The women's teams charged their way to an 11-1 record, losing only their first meet of the season. They also won first place out of 19 teams at the ECAC championships in Long Island. At the conference championships, Washington swimmers unseated Gettysburg College in the 400-yard relay and collected five gold medals. Three Shorewomen will make an appearance at the NCAA championships in March.
"It couldn't have been a more exciting weekend for WC swimmers," coach Kim Lessard said of the conference competition. "It was a terrific team effort, and we had a lot of milestones."
Sophomores Pam Vasquez and Stacey Stines placed 1-2 in three events and together with freshman Margaret Klag qualified for the NCAAs in nine events. Vasquez will swim the 200, 500 and 1,650 freestyle and Sines will compete in the 100, 200, 500 and 1,650 freestyle. Klag will swim the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke.
The men's team also had an impressive season, with a 7-3 record, five conference champions, two conference records and three NCAA provisional qualifiers. They finished fifth out of 14 teams in the ECAC championships. Senior Ryan Staszak, in the 200-yard breaststroke, and freshman John Evans, in the 200-yard freestyle, will represent the Shoremen at the NCAA championships.
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