BOSTON, Mass. – The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) has announced its weekly awards and Mount Holyoke College student-athlete Cathleen Pruden was recognized. The senior garnered Swimmer of the Week honors for the 11th time in her career after an outstanding effort last week.
Pruden, who hails from Raleigh, N.C., recorded three NCAA B Cuts, three pool records and three meet records as the Lyons finished third at the Hamilton Invitational. She won the 200-individual medley in a pool record and 'B' cut time of 2:06.52 and also established new meet and pool records (with B cuts) in the 400-IM (4:26.88) and 1650-freestyle (17:30.46).
A captain, Pruden helped the 200-medley (1:53.45) and 400-medley (4:08.95) relay teams to victory, while posting runner-up in the 800-free (8:15.28) and 400-free (3:47.94) relays. Additionally, she exhibitioned in the 200-breast, finishing with the top overall time which was a school and meet record (2:23.93).
This is the second NEWMAC honor of the season for Pruden, who was tabbed on November 3rd following a nine-victory week. During that stretch, she recorded three victories in the Lyons loss at Division II Assumption, including in the 1000-free, the 500-free and the 200-IM.
A former standout at the Ravenscroft School, Pruden is coming off an outstanding 2014 season in which she earned her second straight National All-America honor after finishing eighth at the NCAA Championships in the 400-individual medley. She is the only swimmer in Lyons' history to earn All-America (top-eight) honors twice.
The NEWMAC Swimmer of the Year in 2014-15, Pruden powered her way to 37 victories in the pool last season. In addition to achieving 10 school records, she also defended her NEWMAC title in the 400-IM, posting a conference meet and open record time. She was also the conference champion in the 200-IM and the 1650-freestyle. Among her other top performances was at the 2015 Seven Sisters Championships, where she claimed victory in five events, setting two meet records and achieving two NCAA B Cuts as well.
Pruden, who is a psychology and education major, is also a two-time Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-American. She earned Second Team recognition in 2015 and was a Third Team selection in 2014.
Mount Holyoke is now idle until January 12th when it travels to Wheaton College where it will face the host Lyons and Clark for a 1pm meet.
