Ephwomen jump out to big lead on Day 1 of the NESCACs
MIDDLETOWN, CT- The Williams College women’s swimming and diving team took a big step in their quest for an impressive 8th consecutive NESCAC Championship Friday night. In Day 1 action hosted by Wesleyan, the Ephs grabbed one individual conference championship and tallied 730 points to take a 164.5 lead over Middlebury.
“I told my team on Thursday night that we were the strongest group of 24 [swimmers] at the meet,” said head coach Steve Kuster. “We showed that today, but we need to do it again tomorrow and Sunday."
The impressive first year class for the Ephs was just that on Day 1 of their first NESCAC championships. Olivia Card-Childers achieved an event conference championship in the 50 yard freestyle (24.05 NATB), and was joined by fellow first year Nancy McInerney, and sophomores Lisa Cucolo and Sophia Sequeira to finish third in the 200 yard freestyle relay (1:37.23 NATB).
One of the most succesful events for the Ephs as a team was the 200 yard IM. First year Ellen Ramsey (2nd – 2:06.82 NATB), senior Crissy Haley (3rd - 2:08.11 NATB), senior Michelle Kurkul (4th – 2:08.91 NATB), and Cucolo (5th - 2:10.74 NATB) all finished in the top 5 and added a significant amount of points to the Ephs first day tally.
Rounding out the top finishes for the Ephs were first year Ryan McChesney’s 3rd place finish in the 500 yard free (5:03.25 NATB) and first year Julia Hancock’s 3rd place finish in the 50 yard butterfly (26.48).
The Ephs continue their quest for the NESCAC title in tomorrow’s Day 2 action.
