Women's Swimming and Diving Tries For NEWMAC "Four-Peat"
After winning its third-consecutive New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) title and finishing 15th at the NCAA Division III Championship last season, Springfield looks to be even better this winter. With a team made up of an outstanding senior class, two All-Americans, and eight national qualifiers, the Pride looks to win its fourth-straight conference championship and continue its success at the NCAA Championship.
“On paper, we are as strong as we have ever been,” said head coach
John Taffe. “The work ethic and leadership of our senior class has brought us back to our status as a national-level program over the past three seasons.”
Junior
Megan Skinner returns after a record-setting sophomore campaign that saw her earn second and third career All-America honors, set six conference records and seven school records. The two-time NEWMAC Swimmer of the Year finished third in the 200-yard backstroke and fifth in the 100-yard backstroke at the NCAA Championship, while winning three individual titles and swimming on three victorious relays at the NEWMAC Championship.
Skinner is one of eight returning national qualifiers. Seniors
Jessica Defoe,
MaryBeth Kuliga, and
Beth Byron, along with sophomores
Alicia Hart,
Emily Phillips and
Sarah Strout all met national qualifying standards in 2003 and will look for similar success this season. Other returning contributors include seniors
Claire Mueller and
Kathryn VanDerBeken, along with junior
Emily Strout. Sophomore Sarah Strout returns as the conference champion in the 1,650 freestyle.
Despite the graduation of eight-time All-American diver
Alison Mellage, diving coach
Peter Avdoulos is excited about the upcoming season. Led by sophomore
Lacey Feduke, an honorable-mention All-American after an 11th-place finish on the one-meter board at the 2002-2003 NCAA Championship, SC will look to senior
Andrea Babcock, sophomore
Sara Tremblay, and freshman
Melissa Pond to keep the Pride’s strong diving tradition alive.
Team Links
Head Coach John Taffe
John Taffe enters his 24th season in 2012-2013 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 28th season as the diving coach for both the men's and women's programs in 2012-2013. 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
