SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Feb. 4, 2013) – The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) announced its weekly awards for the period ending February 4 and Mount Holyoke College student-athlete Cathleen Pruden has been recognized. The first year standout was named the Swimmer of the Week for the third time this season following another record setting performance – this time in a dual meet win against Smith.
The Raleigh, N.C., native swam to victory in three events as the Lyons defeated the Pioneers by a 160-135 margin last Saturday. Pruden won the 1000-freestyle, shattering her own school record by over seven seconds, with a time of 10:35.08. Her previous mark was 10:43.36. She went on to claim victory in the 500-free, again in a school record time of 5:09.80 to eclipse her own record of 5:11.91. Pruden closed out the meet with a win in the 200-individual medley, notching a time of 2:15.17.
Pruden, who is a former standout at the Ravencroft School, has now earned Swimmer of the Week honors from the NEWMAC three times, each occurring over the last four weeks. In her previous award performances, she recorded three individual victories, a relay win, an NCAA 'B' Cut, two meet records and a school record at the Seven Sisters Meet.
In earning her first weekly honor, Pruden posted six victories, including five individual to help lead the Lyons to a 2-1 week. In a tri-meet at Wheaton, she won the 1000-freestyle and also claimed victory in the 500-free and the 200-free. Pruden capped the week with three victories in MHC's win over Simmons, capturing the 50-breast, the 100-free and helping to lift the 200-medley relay team to victory.
Through 12 meets this season, Pruden has posted 30 victories, averaging at least two wins in each meet. She has broken seven school records as well, including the 100-IM, the 200-free, the 1000-free, 500-free, the 400-IM, the 200-IM and the 200-fly.
Pruden was a four-year member of the varsity swimming team in high school. A two-time captain, she earned four consecutive Most Valuable Player honors and was a three time TISAC All-Conference selection. The TISAC Swimmer of the Year as a senior, Pruden was an NCISAA 3A All-State honoree and swam in the NCISAA 3A State Championships and the NCS Senior State Championships for four consecutive seasons.
Mount Holyoke is now idle until February 15 when it travels to MIT to compete in the 2013 NEWMAC Championships. Action runs through Sunday with 10am start times each day.
