SWIMMING & DIVING NOTEBOOK
The University of Vermont women’s swimming & diving team opens the 2015-16 season on Saturday (Oct. 10) with a double dual meet at Binghamton against the Bearcats and Army in Vestal, New York. The event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at West Gym.
CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
At last year’s America East Championships in Worcester, Massachusetts, Vermont set a program record with 662 points and matched its highest finish with a third place showing for the third consecutive year. UMBC took home the conference title with 791 points, edging out the previous year’s champion New Hampshire (777). UVM topped its old record of 640 points, which was set at the 2014 America East Championships.
ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
Maggie Preston was named the America East Most Outstanding Diver last season, becoming the first Catamount ever to take home the award. Preston claimed the title in the 3-meter diving event with a score of 256.95 and placed fourth in the 1-meter event. Andie Blaser and Ilsa Feierabend also earned America East All-Conference honors for UVM after posting top-three individual finishes at the championships.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Binghamton went 2-5 last season and finished fourth overall at last year’s America East Championships at Worchester Polytechnic Institute. The Bearcats won three titles at the event: senior Caitlin Kelly broke the America East record in the 50 free (23.06) for her third career title, fellow senior Imani Williams was crowned the America East champion in the 1-meter diving event (262.55), and Binghamton won the 200 medley relay in 1:42.27, anchored by Kelly.
COACHING CONNECTIONS
Former Catamount swimmer Brad Smith ’07 begins his second season as the head coach at Binghamton. He was the Director of Operations at UVM and was also the men’s club team coach for two years after graduation. Army head coach Mickey Wender ’89 served as team captain for Vermont and won a state championship while swimming for the Catamounts. He graduated from UVM in 1989 with the school’s highest GPA in the physical education program.
HEENAN JOINS STAFF
Former Vermont swimmer Katie Heenan ’12 was added to the coaching staff this summer as Director of Operations. As a rookie during the 2008-09 season, Heenan finished in the top six at the America East Championships in three different events and was named to the All-Conference Team. Heenan still holds the program’s freshman record in the 1,000 yard freestyle from the conference championship meet.
WHO’S NEXT
Vermont travels to New Hampshire next Saturday, Oct. 17 for a 12 p.m. meet in Durham. The Catamounts’ first home meet of the season will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31 against Siena at 2 p.m.
Swimming news courtesy of Vermont Swimming & Diving.