Women's '99-'00 Season Outlook

    There is a great sense of optimism entering the second century of Yale Swimming.  The Yale women ended the 1998–99 season by winning three events on the final night of competition at Ivy’s and that momentum has carried over to the 1999–2000 season.  This season, head coach Frank Keefe returns 12 letterwinners, two first team All-Ivy selections and one current Yale record holder.  A successful recruiting season with the addition of twelve freshmen swimmers has brought balance and depth to the women's team.  The strong corps of freshmen are expected to contribute in middle and distance freestyle, individual medley, and butterfly events.  The following is a preview of competitors to look for in the coming season.

    The sprint freestyle squad returns Meredith Bryarly, the Ivy League champion in the 100 freestyle.  Meredith also had a seventh place finish in the 50 and ninth place finish in the 200. Ilene Solomon, the Ivy League runner-up in the 50 and ninth in the 100, as well as Emily Grant, who finished 5th in the 50 and 3rd in the 100 at Ivy’s, will contribute heavily in the sprint events.  In addition, Laura Schned, who placed tenth in the 100 free at Ivy's, is also a sprinter to watch.   The freshman will be relied upon heavily to carry much of the load in the middle and distance events. Caty Bradford, Heidi Kraus, Anne Lincoln and Katie Weber will provide immediate impacts in the distance events for the wome's team.

    The backstroke events are strong with the return of Ivy League 200-yard champion and Captain, Lindsay Wolter.  Wolter finished a successful meet with a third place finish in the 100 also.  Senior national qualifier, Kim Richardson, and fellow freshmen Courtney Heffernan and Kelly Maynard will give Yale improved depth in both backstroke events.

    Sophomore Allison Swint will lead the breaststroke events with help coming from freshmen Susan Cooke and Stephanie Marum.  Susan Cooke, one of the women's most versatile swimmers, will contribute in the breastroke, free, and IM events.

    Butterflier Shannon Mulcahy returns along with fellow senior Lisa Sweet to lead the women's team in both butterfly events.  Mulcahy had a ninth place finish in the 200 fly last year at Ivy's.   Freshman Danielle Baron should play an important role in these events also.

    The individual medleys will be improved with the additions of Cooke, a Senior National qualifier, and Richardson, adding to the strengths of Wolter and sophomore Linda Tivorsak.

    The Yale divers are performing with a little extra bounce in their hurdles this year due to the addition of two new diving boards in the Exhibition pool.  The women return Shannon Dunlap an Ivy scorer from a year ago while newcomers Amy Barsky and Bates Gregory, a 3 time Jr. National finalist, will greatly enhance the Yale women’s diving corps.