Ephwomen win on Senior Day

WILLIAMSTOWN, MA-  The Williams College women’s swimming and diving team (6-2) capped off an impressive regular season Saturday with a 161-139 win over NESCAC rival Middlebury.  The victory allowed the Ephs to send off the class of ’08 in style on Senior Day.

“I sort of knew it was going to be a back and forth type of day and the girls put up a pretty good battle,” said head coach Steve Kuster.  “We started going strong in the second half of the meet and posted a great win against a good Middlebury team.”

For the second consecutive meet, the storylines centered around the exceptional diving of senior Julie Van Deusen and the impressive performance of first year Ellen Ramsey.  In her final home meet, Van Deusen swept the diving events, the 1 meter dive (275.85) and the 3 meter dive (276.65).  Ramsey posted the top time in the 100 yard backstroke (1:00.28), the 200 yard backstroke (2:09.01), and the 400 yard IM (4:36.79).

Rounding out the event victories for the Ephs were first year Ryan McChesney and junior Courtney Asher.  McChesney had another strong meet posting victories in the 1650 freestyle (17:39.16) and the 500 yard freestyle (5:10.55), while Asher bested the field in the 200 yard breaststroke (2:27.51).

“We are sending out a very deep senior class on both teams and this was just a great win in their final home meet,” said Kuster.

The Ephs continue their road to the NESCAC championships with a spot in next weekend’s Middlebury Invitational (February 8-9).