SETTING THE SCENE: Mount Holyoke hosts longtime rivals Smith College and Wellesley College at its home invitational on Saturday. The non-scoring meet is slated to get underway at 10:00 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Swimmers who comete in all 19 events will be named "Iron Women" and will be recognized at the conclusion of the meet. Meet Program
THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (3-1) has exploded out of the gate, winning three of its first four dual-meets of the season. After posting a 170-126 victory over Westfield State University, the Lyons rolled to a 136-104 triumph over Trinity College. It was their first win over the Bantams since the 2000-01 season. Mount Holyoke topped Western Connecticut State University 177-119 in its most recent outing two weeks ago. The Lyons have been paced by sophomore Lauren Williams, who has figured in on 10 first place finishes. In addition to taking top honors in the 50-yard freestyle on two occasions, she has also touched the wall first in the 50-yard butterfly, 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard backstroke. Mount Holyoke has also received solid production from senior Lydia Bowers and first year Maya Lazarovich, who have contributed to nine first place finishes apiece. The combination of Williams, Bowers, Lazarovich and sophomore Sin Seanne Ng has led to two wins in the 200-yard medley relay this season.
THE PIONEERS: Smith (2-1) has picked up back-to-back wins after falling 164-123 in its first dual-meet of the season. The Pioneers rebounded with a 157-120 triumph over Elms College before handing Westfield State University a 160-126 setback two weeks ago. Junior Mackenzie Bradley has set the tone for Smith with her outstanding work in the freestyle events. In addition to winning both the 1,000-yard and 500-yard twice, she has also prevailed in the 200-yard. Her remaining win came in the 200-yard backstroke. Classmate Jenika Parson claimed one-meter diving victories against Westfield State and Elms. With her score of 264.40, she qualified for the NCAA National Championships in the event.
THE BLUE: Wellesley (3-2) has prevailed in three of its first five dual-meets this season. After sweeping a tri-meet against Roger Williams University (202-95) and Clark University (179-120), the Blue fell 187-113 to MIT. They rebounded with a 218-77 triumph at Simmons College before dropping a 180-119 decision to Tufts University on Wednesday. Sophomore Keelin Nave has recorded eight individual wins to set the tone for Wellesley. Her most impressive performances have come in the 100 and 200-yard butterfly events. The Blue have also received solid production from first years Kendra Waters and Veronica Lin. Waters has picked up six wins, including a sweep of the breaststroke events against MIT. Meanwhile, Lin has posted five victories, competing in backstroke events. On the diving side, sophomore Hayley Goydan has hit NCAA qualifying standards on both the one-meter and three-meters boards. She has racked up nine victories thus far this season.
NEXT UP: All three squads will return to action during the new year after month long layoffs. Wellesley is slated to host Babson College and the Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday, January 11 at 4:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Mount Holyoke will visit Clark University for a tri-meet with Wheaton College on Friday, January 13 at 1:00 p.m., and Smith will host Wellesley the following afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
