SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Feb. 5, 2011) – The Mount Holyoke College women's swimming and diving team celebrated senior day in a big way, defeating Smith College 156-144 in front of its home crowd. Junior Lydia Bowers and first year Lauren Williams figured in on four wins apiece for the Lyons, who had fallen in each of the four previous meetings against their longtime rivals.
After claiming individual victories in the 50-yard (26.21), 100-yard (56.45) and 200-yard freestyle (2:03.92) races, Bowers saved her best for last. With her team leading by just three points heading into the final event, she helped seal things with a thrilling win in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:52.00). Her teammates for the race were first year Allison Burhoe, senior Michelle Kroll and junior Sarah Rooney. The quartet finished less than a second in front of Smith's top entrant.
Williams also enjoyed an outstanding day for the hosts. The rookie joined forces with first year Sin Seanne Ng, Madeline Magee and sophomore Nora Cunningham to win the 200-yard medley relay (1:57.01). She then recorded top times in both the 100-yard (1:03.09) and 200-yard backstroke (2:16.00) events before tapping in first in the 200-yard individual medley (2:19.11). Her time in the 200-yard backstroke was a new school record.
Mount Holyoke's remaining victory came from sophomore Lindsey Kanno, who won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:12.84). As a team, the Lyons clocked top times in nine of the 16 events.
Smith was paced by sophomore Mackenzie Bradley, who claimed victories in three events. She touched the wall first in the 500-yard freestyle (5:25.13), the 1,000-yard freestyle (11:06.16) and the 200-yard butterfly (11:06.16).
Senior Alexis-Clair Roehrich posted wins in both the diving events, finishing with scores of 239.39 off the one-meter board and 239.63) off the three-meter board.
Meanwhile, first year Victoria Wu took home top honors in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:39.63), and senior Lily Seidman repeated the feat in the 100-yard butterfly (1:03.07).
Prior to the competition, Kroll, Ruth Asch, Kaitlin Mitchell, Lauren Rarick, Sarah Schultz and Miki Yoshida were honored for their contributions to the Mount Holyoke program over the last four years.
The Lyons rounded out their regular season with a dual meet record of 5-3. Meanwhile, Smith fell to 3-3. Both squads are slated to compete in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Championships in two weeks. The competition will take place at Mount Holyoke from Friday, February 18 - Sunday, February 20.
