The 2014-2015 America East women's swimming & diving season is ready to get under way. New Hampshire is looking to win its third-straight conference title, but UMBC behind the strokes of Emily Escobedo will be looking to build upon their second place finish last year. Binghamton and Vermont bring back many familiar faces, while the Black Bears of Maine welcome many newcomers to their team. The 2015 America East Swimming & Diving Championship will take place Feb. 12-15 at WPI in Worcester, Mass.
Team Previews
Binghamton Bearcats
- The Binghamton Bearcats placed fifth in the America East Championship last season.
- Bearcats welcome back nine seniors, and a trio of those veterans has been made team captains for the 2014-2015 season: Shannon Lampe, Timea Tozser, and Corinne Zotter.
- Binghamton’s season will begin with a two-day meet against UMass on Halloween.
Maine Black Bears
- The Maine Black Bears placed fourth in last years America East Championship.
- Maine has many new faces on this year’s roster, welcoming in 14 freshmen to the squad.
- Black Bear Nation will see the swimming & diving team begin their season at Rhode Island on October 24th.
UMBC Retrievers
- The UMBC Retrievers finished second at the America East Swimming & Diving Championships last year.
- The key returner for UMBC is the reigning Most Outstanding Rookie, and Most Outstanding Swimmer award winner Emily Escobedo.
- Escobedo represented UMBC and the America East at the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, the third-ever female swimmer from the Retrievers to earn that honor.
- The sophomore also assisted in UMBC winning the gold medal in the 200 medley relay and silver in the 400 medley relay at the America East Championships with each team setting a new school record.
- UMBC has already taken part in two meets to tune up for the CCSE North Invite beginning on October 18th.
New Hampshire Wildcats
- The New Hampshire Wildcats are looking to repeat as America East Conference champions for the third straight year.
- Six key returning seniors will lead New Hampshire: Katie Mann, Oneida Cooper, Nicole Zahka, Nicole Anderson, Megan Suffel, and Kathryn Violette.
- Katie Mann rewrote record books last season, setting new record times in 100-yard breaststroke (1:02.17), 200-yard breaststroke (2:10.30), 200-yard IM (1:58.78), 400-yard IM (4:09.40), and 400-yard medley relay (3:41.88).
- Mann represented the America East in the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, and competed in the 200, and 400-yeard individual medleys, along with 200 breast stroke.
- The Wildcats begin their season at Vermont in the Forbush Natatorium on October 18th.
Vermont Catamounts
- The Vermont Catamounts placed third in the America East Conference Championship last year.
- Five returning seniors lead the Catamounts: Katie Adams, Estee Dilli, Ilsa Feierabend, Ashley Miston and Samantha Russo.
- Vermont kicked off their season on October 11th against Wagner, and their next meet will be October 18th when the Wildcats travel to Burlington.