Swimming and Diving makes a splash against Regis

Last season the Plymouth State University women’s swimming and diving team ended their season 6-4, racking up most of their victories with a five game winning streak at the end of the year. The team also finished thirteenth out of twenty-two in the New England Champions Meet. The squad is looking good led by 19 year head coach Al Switzer and a dozen veterans back from last year’s team are joined by ex-Colby Sawyer swimmer Breien Milton,a new addition to the coaching staff this year. With this new coach, comes three new faces to the team: Jennifer Samaro, Amy Mulhern, and Christi Jensen while seniors Erika Young and Caitlyn Little return for one more season after a short hiatus.”The outlook for this season is bright,” said Switzer. “We have most of our key people back from last year and should have both quality and depth available in most events. They are working very hard and we are anticipating a good year.”Hoping to continue their regular season winning streak over from last year the team started off the 2009-10 with a splash by defeating Regis College 120-99 and taking fourteen out of the sixteen matches. The Panthers had the fastest team in both relay races, while five Panthers won two solo-events.Little led the charge in PSU’s victory over Regis College by winning the 50-yard freestyle (26.92 seconds), the 50-yard butterfly (29.47) and swimming a leg in both the winning 200-medley and 400-free relay teams. Senior Chaz Sweeney assisted in the victory when she took the 50-yard backstroke (31.93) and 100-yard backstroke (1:10.43) and led the winning medley relay team.Representing PSU’s sophomore class, Brittanie Bradley (Scarborough, Maine) touched first in the 50-yard breaststroke (36.54) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:19.07) and followed Sweeney on the medley relay win. Nicole Brodeur won the 200-yard free (2:12.12) and the 100-yard free (1:00.46) and Lara Gruner was the winner of the 500-yard freestyle (6:11.53). While, Nora Regan went uncontested in two diving events and scoring 182.05 in the optional event.”Overall I think it will be a great season,” says team captain Elise Innis, “and I am really excited about the strong team we have built.” Hopefully, the winning streak will continue when PSU will return to Regis College on Fri., Nov. 13 for a diving set at 7:00 p.m. weekend, Nov. 13-14, for the Regis Invitational, with diving set for Friday at 7:00 p.m. and swimming Saturday at 12 noon.