Women's Swimmming & Diving Opens 2004-2005 Season Versus Holy Cross
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SPRINGFIELD, Mass., October 26, 2004 - The Springfield College women's swimming and diving team opens the 2004-2005 campaign Wednesday (Oct. 27) hosting Division I Holy Cross at 6:00 p.m. in Linkletter Natatorium.
Despite the graduation of a strong senior class that was a part of four-straight New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) titles and three top-15 finishes at the NCAA Division III Championships, head coach
John Taffe is optimistic about his team’s chances at continued success for the 2004-2005 campaign. With the return of six national qualifiers, including four-time All-American
Megan Skinner (Acton, Mass.), the Pride looks poised for a run at its unprecedented fifth conference title and continued success at the national meet.
“Although we lost a tremendous senior class, I feel confident that the members of this season’s team will achieve continued success this season, as well as in the years to come,” said Taffe.
Skinner, who picked up her fourth All-America honor after a third-place effort in the 200-yard backstroke at the ’04 NCAA championships, is preparing for a run at the national championship in that event. A holder of eight conference records and eight school records, the 2002 and 2003 NEWMAC Swimmer of the Year finished first in two events, and swam a leg on three victorious relays at the conference championships last season.
Skinner joins juniors
Lacey Feduke (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.),
Alicia Hart (West Hartford, Conn.),
Emily Phillips (North Windham, Conn.) and
Sarah Strout (Edgecomb, Maine) on the list of returning national qualifiers.
Phillips swam a leg on the NEWMAC-champion 400-medley relay, and joined Hart on the winning 400- free relay and the second-place 200-free relay.
First-year swimmers that should make an immediate impact include
Tristan Gentile (Columbia, Md.),
Kelly Ockerbloom (Hyannisport, Mass.) and
Emily Sheahan (Erin, N.Y.), while
Dana Allen (Agawam, Mass.) should bolster an already deep and talented diving corps.
Team Links
Head Coach John Taffe
John Taffe enters his 25th season in 2013-2014 as the head coach of the men's and women's swimming teams at Springfield College. Under Taffe’s leadership, the Pride has returned to its status as one of the best collegiate swimming and diving programs in Division III.
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Contact Head Coach John Taffe
E-Mail | Phone: 413.748.3169
Diving Coach Peter Avdoulos
Peter Avdoulos is regarded as one of the top diving coaches in the nation, and is entering his 29th season as the diving coach for both the men's and women's programs in 2013-2014. The current NEWMAC Men's and Women's Diving Coach of the Year, Avdoulos has coached countless All-New England and All-American divers, as well as several National Champions.
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Contact Head Coach Peter Avdoulos
E-Mail | Phone: 413.748.3445
