Swim and Dive Splits Tri-Meet at Clark

WORCESTER, Mass. (Jan. 15, 2010) – Following a 40 day hiatus, the Mount Holyoke College women’s swimming and diving team returned to action with a tri-meet against Clark University and Elms College this afternoon at the Kneller Athletic Center Pool. The host Cougars swept the meet, downing the Lyons 166-133 and the Blazers 200-80. Mount Holyoke notched a 193-86 triumph over Elms in the third matchup. With the win, the Lyons remained perfect in 14 all-time meetings against the Blazers.

Powered by senior Dana Akerfelds, sophomore Erin Smith, junior Elizabeth Rosen and sophomore Eileen Garcia, Clark earned first place finishes in nine of the 16 events.

Akerfelds led the way with three victories. After teaming with Smith, sophomore Maura Houghton and first year Emily Newton to win the 200-yard medley relay (1:59.21), she took top honors in both the 100 (1:03.26) and 200-yard (2:16.24) backstroke events.

Smith went on to touch the wall first in the 200-yard freestyle (2:04.16), while Rosen came out on top in both the 500 (5:30.07) and 1,000-yard (11:07.30) freestyle competitions. Garcia swept the diving events, posting scores of 259.76 in the one meter and 249.20 in the three meter.

Mount Holyoke totaled five first place finishes on the day. The Lyons were paced by first year Joan Burton, who racked up three victories. She took home top honors in both the 100 (1:04.20) and 200-yard (2:24.11) butterfly events as well as the 100-yard freestyle (57.42). Senior Lindsay Schonborn also enjoyed an outstanding afternoon. After touching the wall first in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:14.13), she added a win in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:40.87).

Leading the way for Elms was first year Tessa Dudunake, who figured in on both of her team’s victories. After claiming an individual win in the 50-yard freestyle (26.22), she took top honors in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Her teammates for that race were sophomore Ashley Arbo, first year Chalis Bird and junior Theresa Pitassi.

Mount Holyoke (3-1) is scheduled to face off against Simmons College tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.