WELLESLEY, Mass. (Nov. 3, 2012) - The Mount Holyoke College swimming and diving team kicked off its 2012-13 schedule at the 16th annual Betty Spears Relays this afternoon. Five squads from around the region competed at today's non-scoring meet, which took place at Wellesley College's Chandler Pool. Leading the way for the Lyons was first year Cathleen Pruden, who set two school records, including one that had stood since 1986.
Pruden posted a time of 1:58.71 to set a new record in the 200-freestyle. She hit that mark as the lead-off swimmer in the 800-freestyle relay. Overall, the Lyons foursome of Pruden, junior Allison Burhoe, sophomore Rachel Boynton and first year Maggie Webb finished third with a time of 8:24.88 in the event.
Additionally, Pruden also posted a school record in the 100-individual medley as she posted a mark of 1:02.36 in her leg of the 4x100 IM Relay. The previous mark of 1:02.61 had been held by Leah Buenaventura since 1986. In the finals of the event, MHC's foursome of Pruden and fellow first years Kelsey Price, Sarah Crocker and Bethany Aban were second overall with a time of 4:25.36.
The Lyons also saw several first place finishes on the day, including the 200-freestyle relay team of Aban, first year Erica Carvell, senior Nora Cunningham and Webb. The group posted a time of 1:44.40 for victory.
Individually, junior Lauren Williams won the 25-yard back eliminator event, finishing in the winning race with a time of 14.67.
Other top efforts on the day came in the 200-medley relay, which saw Williams, sophomore Maya Lazarovich, Aban and Webb finished second with a time of 1:55.11. The Lyons also excelled in the 850-yard crescendo freestyle relay as Crocker, Burhoe, senior Lindsey Kanno and Pruden were second with a time of 8:57.39.
Rounding out the solid performances on the day was sophomore Catrina Bellucci-DiLizia, who was fifth in the 1-meter diving event with a score of 166.75 points. Additionally, the 400-yard medley relay team of Williams, Lazarovich, Pruden and Cunningham was second with a mark of 4:21.38.
Mount Holyoke returns to the pool on Wednesday, when it competes at Westfield State University at 7pm.
Photos courtesy of Richard Orr Sports Photography.
