WORCESTER, Mass. - America East’s five women’s swimming & diving programs begin their quest to become 2016 league champions starting Thursday as the conference’s annual four-day championship meet begins. Binghamton University, University of Maine, UMBC, University of New Hampshire and University of Vermont will all vie for the title Thursday through Sunday at WPI in Worcester, Mass.
WPI will be the venue for the fourth-straight year. Tickets are available for purchase at the door ($10 for adults, $5 for children 14 and under and $2 for students with a valid ID).
Fans who can’t be in attendance can watch all the championship action on AmericaEast.TV, which can be accessed on computers, tablets and smartphones free of charge. Championship Central also has the complete event schedule, links to live results and more.
UMBC is the reigning champion after beating New Hampshire by just 14 points in 2015. It was the closest margin of victory for the champion in 16 years. The Retrievers have won four titles all-time since entering the conference prior to the 2003-04 season. Emily Escobedo earned America East Swimmer of the Week accolades six times this season and will head UMBC’s charge for another crown.
The Wildcats had won the previous two titles before finishing second a year ago. Reigning America East Rookie of the Year Liza Baykova will lead UNH. She won two events at last year’s championship and set a meet record in the 200 freestyle.
Vermont has placed third each of the last three years, matching the program’s best-ever finish. The Catamounts went 6-3 in dual meets this year. Four-time America East Diver of the Week Maggie Preston will defend her Most Outstanding Diver honor after winning the award last season.
Binghamton, which moved up one spot to fourth place last year, posted wins over Siena and Niagara this season. Selina Ng will pace the Bearcats after winning the 100 butterfly seven times this season entering the meet.
Maine hopes to improve on its fifth-place finish from 2015. The Black Bears knocked off Providence in its last meet behind a pair of wins for Chloe Adams and Victoria Kingston.
Meet action begins at Thursday with diving action at 5 p.m. following by the first swimming events at 6 p.m.