Swimming & Diving Finishes 5th at NEWMAC's; Pruden Named Rookie of the Year

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Feb. 17, 2013) – Action at the 2013 NEWMAC Swimming & Diving Championships has concluded and Mount Holyoke College finished fifth overall at this year's meet. The Lyons, who reset a total of 15 school records throughout the three-day meet, were paced by a number of outstanding efforts. Leading the way was first year Cathleen Pruden, who not only won two event titles, but was also named the NEWMAC Rookie of the Year.

Pruden, who becomes the first Lyons swimmer in program history to garner the conference's top rookie honor, helped Mount Holyoke eclipse eight of the 15 total school records that fell at this year's meet. Additionally, she recorded NCAA 'B' Cuts in two different events, as well as setting the NEWMAC Open and Meet records in the 400-Individual Medley.

On Sunday, Pruden claimed her second NEWMAC title with a win in the 1650-freestyle. She posted a time of 17:30.29, which not only shattered the school record set by Katie Herrold '00 (17:47.80), but was also an NCAA 'B' Cut as well. Additionally, it marked a new school record in the 1000-free (10:34.65).

Pruden also helped the 400-freestyle relay team to sixth overall with another school record. The foursome, which also included senior Lindsey Kanno, first year Bethany Aban and sophomore Maya Lazarovich, posted a time of 3:38.41 beating the previous mark of 3:41.42.

Lazarovich also finished ninth in the 200-breaststroke, eclipsing her own school record in the event with a time of 2:28.53, while Aban was 10th in the 200-butterfly event with a mark of 2:14.16.

In addition to the records set on day three, the Lyons also eclipsed the previous marks set in the 500-free, 200-free, 100-breast, 50-breast, 100-fly, 50-fly. Additionally, MHC's school record marks in the 200-free relay, 400-medley relay, 800-free relay and the 200-medley relay also fell.

MIT won this year's meet with a total of 1,021 points. Springfield finished second with 740 points, followed by Wellesley (457), Coast Guard Academy (358) and Mount Holyoke.

Mount Holyoke finished the 2012-13 season with a 7-3 dual meet record. The Lyons also posted their best-ever finish at the Seven Sisters Championships, placing second overall.

MHC will now wait for the NCAA Championships selections which will occur on March 6. Pruden is currently among the top-15 in the nation in the 400-IM and has an excellent chance to head to her first National Meet. This year's Championships will take place from March 20-23 in Shenandoah, Texas.