BOSTON- The 16th annual America East Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships will be held at the Boston University Aquatic Center on the campus of the Boston University on Thursday, February 16, through Sunday, February 19.
Last year the UMBC men won their second-straight league title, while the New Hampshire women upset Northeastern to earn the women’s crown.
The Wildcats will be led by sisters Brittany and Shannon Daly. Last season, Shannon captured titles in the 200-breaststroke, 100-breaststroke, 800-freestyle relay, 200-freestyle relay, 400-freestyle relay and 400-medley relay, while her sister was on the winning 800-freestyle relay, second in the 200-freestyle and second in the 1650-freestyle.
New Hampshire will also look for top performances from Kary Goodman in the 100-butterfly, 100-backstroke, 200-backstroke and 200-butterfly. The Wildcats have posted impressive times in the 400-freestyle relay, 400-medley relay, 200-freestyle relay and 200-medley relay during the regular season.
UMBC’s Rachel Lesslie, the winner of last year’s Most Outstanding Rookie award, returns to the pool to defend her 1650-freestyle title. Meghan Sackett currently leads the conference in the 200-freestyle, 500-freestyle, 1,000-freestyle, 1,650-freestyle. Teammate Ashley Houghton has been one the top performers in the conference in the one- and three-meter dive.
Last season, the UMBC men were led by returners Ryan Karrer, who came in first in the 1650-freestyle and Geza Szabo, who earned the top spot in the 200-butterfly. The Retrievers have held top performances in most events throughout this season. Jeff Saldago is the top UMBC diver, Milos Djukic and Juston Bronson will be top threats in several swimming events. Binghamton’s David Holmes and Kaan Tayla will also be on contention to capture several titles this weekend.
Prelims begin Thursday at 5 p.m. for the men’s one-meter dive. Finals for the men’s and women’s 800-freestyle relay, men’s one-meter dive and men’s and women’s 200-medley relay will begin at 6 p.m.
Friday’s prelims begin at 10 a.m. in the 500-freestyle, 200-individual medley, 50-freestyle and men’s three-meter dive. Finals for these events, as well as the 200-freestyle relay will commence at 6 p.m.
Saturday’s prelims will begin at 10 a.m. for the 400-individual medley, 100-butterfly, 200-freestyle, 100-breaststroke and 100-backstroke. Finals will start at 5:30 p.m. and will include these events, and the men’s three-meter dive and 400-medley relay.
On Sunday, prelims start at 10 a.m. and include the 1650-freestyle, 200-backstroke, 100-freestyle, 200-breaststroke, 400-freestyle and 200-butterfly. The championships for these events will follow, starting at 5:30 p.m., and include the one-meter dive.
This weekend will mark the first time the event has been held at the Boston University Aquatic Center, after last year being held at the UMBC Natorium.
Binghamton University, Boston University, University of Maine, UMBC, University of New Hampshire, Stony Brook University and University of Vermont (women only) will all vie for the 2006 Swimming and Diving Championship.