In top shape, Bulldogs expect to streak past BC

After three years of ties and near-wins, the women's swimming and diving team emerged victorious last week over Columbia in a convincing 183-117 win to open the season.

JULIA TIERNAN/YH After a convincing victory over Columbia, the Bulldogs have high hopes for a top finish in the Ivy League.

The Bulldogs captured 10 of 16 events with strong individual performances by Adrienne Mossler, MC '04, and Laura O'Brien, PC '04, who won the 1,000 meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly, respectively. Shannon Dunlap, BR '01, also destroyed the competition, capturing first place in both the one- and three-meter dives. Susan Cooke, BK '03 won the 100- and 200-meter breaststrokes and the 200-meter individual medley. In fact, Yale secured the top three positions in two events, the 200-meter butterfly and the three-meter dive. With this confidence-boosting win over a strong Ivy opponent, the team looks forward to its next match, a showdown with Boston College (BC) on Fri., Nov. 17.

The win is a strong indication of the Bulldogs' desire to surpass their middle-of-the-pack finish in the Ivy League last season. In the 1999-2000 campaign, Yale had to settle for fourth behind perennial league powerhouses Princeton, Brown, and Harvard. In an effort to overcome those three for a shot at a league title, the team trained incessantly during the fall off-season in preparation. While Head Coach Frank Keefe was in Sydney for the Olympic Games, Captain Laura Schned, BK '01, coordinated many "voluntary" workouts. And on Sun., Oct. 1, the squad began its coach-led training, swimming from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, followed by a two-and-a-half hour afternoon session, a regimen it maintains during the season. On Saturdays, the Bulldogs often rise as early as 8 a.m. for an additional two-and-a-half hour session. "We try to build a strong aerobic base that tailors to each swimmer's specific event," Keefe explained.

During practice, the swimmers are divided into three groups: sprinters, middle-distance swimmers, and distance swimmers. Each person then goes through specific drills and workouts to prepare for individual events. Within these groups, the swimmers are further divided into blue and white groups, depending on skill and intensity level. Regardless of ability, every player must maintain a high intensity level and focus. As Keefe explained, "We have a strong squad of freshmen that are each fighting for a spot to swim for varsity." Following their intensive water workout, the swimmers go through a circuit weight-training program for 30 minutes. In addition to building strength and skill, the time regimen has helped foster team cohesion. "Last year's freshman class quickly bonded together, setting a good example for the current freshmen," Dunlap said. "The freshmen this year have fit in very well," Keefe added. "Our athletes are all solid, focused competitiors and have been doing this for years now."

W. Swimming

Record: 1-0, 1-0 Ivy Recent Results: Won vs. Columbia, 183-117 Coming Up: Fri., Nov. 17 at Boston College

The diving team, led by Dunlap and Bates Gregory, BR '03, has been reinforced with the addition of four freshmen—plus the team lost no one to graduation. Like the swimmers, the divers practice Monday through Saturday for about two and a half hours; on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they have an additional morning practice that lasts nearly two hours. During the off-season, divers compete in U.S. Diving Association meets at the national and regional levels. However, as Dunlap noted, these are mainly for practice and training, as "the Ivy League championship is where it all matters."

While the Columbia win was an important jump-start to the season, players and coaches alike realize that their face-off against BC on Fri., Nov. 17 may serve as a more accurate indicator of how competitive they can be. Last year, Yale barely squeaked by the Eagles. And this year, thanks to an excellent freshmen class, BC appears to be even stronger. "The problem with facing BC is their freshman recruiting class of athletes on scholarship," Keefe explained. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs hope to repeat last year's win.

In addition to a league title, the Elis have their sights set on the NCAA championships. Unlike other NCAA tournaments, the swimming championships are all individual events with no team awards. Across the nation, generally only 210 swimmers and 20 divers will be awarded bids. Yale managed to send one swimmer last year to the championships, and another missed qualifying for the NCAA's by one place. But for now, the Bulldogs remain focused on the Eagles. "We need to get by BC," Keefe insisted, refusing to look ahead any further. "No matter how well we swam last week, we will need to swim better this Friday."

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