WEST POINT, N.Y. (Jan. 8, 2015) -- After a four-week hiatus, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point women's swimming and diving team returns to the pool for its first dual-meet of the new year. The Black Knights are set to host Lehigh on Jan. 8 (5 p.m.) and Bucknell on Jan. 9 (1 p.m.) for Cadet senior day at Crandall Pool.
"I think this team has done a good job so far and will continue to do so into this weekend's meets," said head coach Mickey Wender. "It is exciting to be able to come back and race after over a month off. The team is looking forward to being home at Crandall Pool and for senior day to honor 16 of their teammates. It is always nice to compete at home and for the ghosts in the rafters. We are looking forward to it, it's going to be a great weekend."
Friday's dual-meet against Lehigh will be streamed free of charge to fans that cannot make it to Crandall Pool for the team's meet. Neil Dwyer will be on the call as the play-by-play analyst, while Army volunteer assistant coach James Reilly to serve as the color commentator.
Please tune into the Patriot League Network at 5 p.m. to watch the meet between the Black Knights and Mountain Hawks.
The Black Knights will host senior day in the dual-meet versus Bucknell. The team will recognize Cadet firsties (seniors) Jen Clay, Jess Fabrizio, Kate Kinley, Molly Mucciarone and Shannon Rogers along with those from the men's team; Pierre Archambeau, Zack Blankenbeker, Alex Dempsey, Joe Frullaney, Colin Kanzari, Austin Kong, Sam Mo, Adam Sjholm, Chris Szekely, Nick Treiberg and Aaron Yoshizuka prior to the 1 p.m. meet.
"I've always felt like the teams that I have coached in particular live and die by their senior class," stated Wender. "This particular class has been extremely consistent. I think that this group of seniors sees themselves as a corner stone group in terms of what we are trying to accomplish and the goals that we have for the program. There is no question that they've taken us to another level and I think there is a real sense of accomplishment and optimism about the foundation they've helped establish for the future and what they're capable of doing this year.
"I think this class has also been good at empowering the under classmen," Wender said. "They have given them the skills and autonomy they need to perform to their full potential. These seniors have been good mentors and role models. There is a real sense of pride, ownership and commitment with this group and I am really happy with this senior class."
The Black Knights boast a 4-1 record, which is the best start in the programs in recent history. Army fell to Navy on Dec. 10, but a magnitude of records were broken, and many Black Knights climbed the All-Time Top 10 Times lists.
"The first semester was a great learning experience," added Wender. "I think we grew as a team and learned a lot through the ups and downs. We have come through first semester stronger, better and more focused with a better sense of who we are and what we are capable of. There is a maturity and depth of character to this team that will take them a long way."
With just six events under their belts, the Cadets have broken six Academy and five plebe (freshmen) records so far this season. Cadet junior Kelly Hamilton saw success in the 100 free (50.42) and 100 back (54.41), while Cadet senior Molly Mucciarone topped the charts in the 50 free with a time of 22.85.
Cadet sophomore Sabrina Mortell set a new standard in the 1000 free after touching the wall in 10.00.09 for Army. The 200 medley relay team of Cadets Cecelia Croman, Jess Fabrizio, Mucciarone and Hamilton tied the existing Academy record time of 1:42.14.
Freshman Monica Sowinski broke the Academy and plebe record in the 200 free (1:49.99), while setting a plebe standard in the 100 free after clocking a 50.66. Cadet freshmen Meghan McGovern and Bailey Smith also broke plebe records. McGovern recorded a time of 10.12.18 in the 1000 free, and Smith touched the wall in 55.59 in the 100 back and 1:58.79 in the 200 back.
For up-to-date information about Army swimming and diving, please follow @ArmyWP_SwimDive on Twitter and Instagram.
Related Links:
Army West Point Athletics website
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