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CLARK WOMEN’S SWIM AND DIVE TEAM SET FOR NEWMAC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Follow The Cougars, who finished eighth last winter, are hoping that their regular-season showing will be a springboard for a successful championship. “They’ve worked hard all season,” said head coach Paul E. Phillips. “I think they enjoy being together and that has the ability to affect their competitiveness coming down the stretch.” For the first time in over a decade, the Cougars have a chance at qualifying for the NCAA Division III Championships. First-year Eileen Garcia, who has already posted a pair of national qualifying marks, hopes to meet the criteria yet again on the 1-meter and 3-meter board. “Our whole diving corps has been outstanding this year,” Phillips said. “They have brought a refreshing level of energy and enthusiasm to practices and meets. Eileen has certainly been a big part of that.” Clark also returns a core group of swimmers who have performed well in past championships. Sophomore Liz Rosen set three new school records in the 200-, 1-000, and 1,650-yard freestyle events and had an all-time top-five finish in the 500-free in last year’s meet, while junior Dana Akerfelds broke new school marks in the 200-yard backstroke and 50-yard backstroke on the 200-yard medley relay split, not to mention finishing second fastest all-time in the 500-free in Clark’s record-book at the 2007 NEWMAC meet. Seniors Kayleigh Lagasse and Jess Cullen and sophomore Britney Wigley have also turned in some top times at the NEWMAC meet. This year, Phillips hopes a new front-runner will emerge from the pack. Freshman Erin Smith, who set a new school standard in the 200-yard freestyle (1:59.96) and became the first woman in Clark history to swim under two minutes in the event, has a chance to have a memorable trip to her first Championship. “Erin is a tough competitor who has impacted the program since her first practice,” said the Cougars’ sixth-year coach. It will be fun to see her and all of the first-years competing in their first conference championship” While Clark looks to get top performances out of its core group, swimmers and divers who place nine through 16 could be the deciding factor in the team’s final standing. “To be successful you need contributions from everyone on the heat sheet,” Phillips said. “Each person has the ability to affect the outcome of the meet whether scoring points or getting a lifetime best. That’s what it’s all about. “
WBCA'S PINK ZONE RECAP
ONE-STOP SHOP: CLARK TEAMS UP WITH TURFER The Clark University athletic department, in conjunction with Turfer Sportswear, has launched a brand new merchandise and apparel store through the Cougar athletics website. With a greater demand for sports-specific athletic gear, Clark teamed up with Turfer, a company based out of Providence, R.I., for high-quality paraphernelia and accessories at a reasonable price. So, why wait? Wear your colors proud today by clicking here.
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CLARK WOMEN’S SWIM AND DIVE TEAM SET FOR NEWMAC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Roughly 400 fans came out to support the “Pink Zone” at Clark University’s women’s basketball game against Springfield College last Saturday. Initiated by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) in 2007, Pink Zone was created to raise breast cancer awareness in women’s basketball, on campuses, and communities. For the second consecutive year, the Cougars have participated in this call for a cure.
