The Lyons squad finished seventh overall at the 2015 NEWMAC Championships, highlighted by junior Cathleen Pruden (Raleigh, N.C.), who was one of just two swimmers to post three victories at the meet. For her efforts, Pruden was named the NEWMAC Swimmer of the Year, shattering school records in all three of her wins, while also posting three NCAA B Cuts and a NEWMAC Meet and Open record.
MHC concluded its season with a 6-4 overall record,but Pruden will continue action for the Lyons, competing at the 2015 NCAA Championships from March 18-21 in Shenandoah, Texas. This is the second straight Nationals appearance for Pruden, who was a National All-American in the 400-IM last season, placing fourth overall.
Under the direction of eighth-year head coach Miriam Esber, the Lyons kick-off the 2015 season on Saturday when they host Skidmore at 1pm on the Turf Field. MHC returns six of its top-10 scorers from a year ago, including the top-three. Junior Julia Bell (Longmeadow, Mass.) leads the way, coming off a sophomore season in which she recorded a NEWMAC-best 71 goals and 94 points. Live links for all of this season's contest can be found at http://athletics.mtholyoke.edu/sports/wlax/2014-15/schedule.
The Lyons concluded their 2014-15 season last week, shouldering a pair of tough losses in NEWMAC action to Springfield (47-39) and WPI (51-47). Senior guard Kate Karraker (Morgantown, V.W.) had an incredible week, averaging a team-best 19.5 points per contest, including a game-best 28 points against Springfield. In that contest, she also became the 13th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. MHC finishes the season with a 6-19 overall mark, going 3-13 in the NEWMAC.
Mount Holyoke (7-17) will see select players return to action this weekend at the 2015 CSA Individual National Championships. Action begins on Friday and runs through Sunday at Princeton University. Selections and pairings for the event are expected to be released early this week.
The Lyons saw several players return to action at the New England Division III Championships, hosted by Smith last weekend. Highlighting the event, in which MHC placed 22nd, was junior Camille Coklow. She finished third overall in the 60-m dash, but posted the eighth-best time in the country during the preliminaries with a 7.77. Select members of the team return to action this weekend, taking part in the 2015 Open New England Championships in Boston on Friday and Saturday.
Mount Holyoke were idle last week, but return to action on Saturday, February 28 when it hosts its first show of the spring regular season at the MHC Equestrian Center.
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