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 Katie Sieben, Richmond |
Feb. 18, 2008
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Massachusetts looks to defend its men's crown while Richmond vies for its Championship-record seventh straight women's title at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Championships, to be held Feb. 20-23 at the Flickinger Aquatics Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Massachusetts claimed its sixth A-10 men's title in the past seven years after turning aside then defending champion St. Bonaventure, 733-510, at the 2007 Championship. The Minutemen have captured nine league Championships, the most of any program in the Conference. Joining UMass and St. Bonaventure in the quest for the title are Duquesne, Fordham, George Washington, La Salle, Rhode Island, Saint Louis and Xavier.
George Washington junior David Zenk, the recipient of the Most Outstanding Performer and Rookie awards in 2006, looks to build on his record-setting performances in the 200-yard individual medley (1:49.38) and 400-yard individual medley (3:54.94) at last season's Championship. Fordham sophomore Ryan Coombs, who garnered 2007 Most Outstanding Rookie honors, is a three-time A-10 Performer of the Week recipient this season, just behind Saint Louis senior Brad Byars' four weekly awards.
Richmond became the first women's swimming program to win six consecutive A-10 titles last season as it captured gold in eight individual events and al five relays en route to outdistancing runner-up Massachusetts, 737-453. The Spiders are led by junior Lauren Beaudreau (2007) and senior Jessica Witt (2006), who have each earned Most Outstanding Performer honors over the past two seasons, as well as sophomore Katie Sieben, who became the sixth consecutive UR swimmer to be tabbed the Championship's Most Outstanding Rookie. Fordham sophomore Caitlin Napoli, a four-time A-10 Performer of the Week selection this season, will look to build upon her performance at the 2007 Championship, where she placed first in the 200-yard freestyle and claimed silver medals in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard butterfly events, respectively.
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Joining UMass in its attempt to end Richmond's six-year stranglehold on the league title are Duquesne, Fordham, George Washington, La Salle, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure, Saint Louis and Xavier.
The championship commences at 4:30pm on Wednesday, Feb. 20, with the trials of the men's one-meter diving competition, followed by the finals of the men's and women's 200-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relays at 6:30pm, along with the finals of the men's one-meter diving competition. The Championship continues at 10:30am on Thursday with the time trials, followed by the finals at 6:30pm. The same schedule will be followed on Friday and Saturday.
For complete coverage of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Championships, log on to www.atlantic10.org
