Ephwomen jump out to big lead on Day 1 of the NESCACs
BRUNSWICK, ME- The Williams College women's swimming and diving team took a big step Friday evening towards their ninth consecutive NESCAC Championship. The Ephs won five individual event championships en route to a 175.5 point lead over Amherst after Day 1.
"We had a pretty good first day as several of our competitors had outstanding swims," said head coach Steve Kuster. "Tomorrow we are looking for much of the same as some of our other swimmers get a chance to step it up in some of the other events."
Not only were the Ephs able to claim several event conference championships, but they did so in dominating fashion by clinching two NESCAC records and one championship meet record. In the first event of the day, the Williams 'A' quartet swam to the NESCAC's best time at 1:34.38, while first year Logan Todhunter clinched the conference's top time in the 50 yard butterfly (24.55).
In the 400 yard medley relay, senior Courtney Asher, along with sophomore Erin Altenburger and first years Todhunter and Carolyn Geller, swam to a meet record time of 3:47.80. Asher also placed first in the 50 yard breaststroke (30.08), while Altenburger finished second in the 500 yard freestyle (4:58.90).
Another major reason for the Eph's impressive point tally was the large accumulation of points in single events. The most impressive event was the 200 yard IM where sophomore Ellen Ramsey (2:04.82), senior Amanda Nicholson (2:04.85), and first year Bonnie Patchen (2:06.63) rounded out the top three spots.
Rounding out the Day 1 action for the Ephs was sophomore Olivia Card-Childers who placed second in the 50 yard backstroke (27.30).
The Ephs continue NESCAC Championship action tomorrow with preliminary events beginning at 10 AM and final events beginning at 6 PM.
