Ephwomen Reclaim NESCAC Championship Title

MIDDLEBURY, VT – After a weekend full of fast swims and clean dives, the Ephwomen of Williams Swim and Dive claimed the championship title. Williams scored 2,002 points to claim their 20th NESCAC Championship.

The Ephs' effort was highlighted by Sophia Verkleern winning 'Swimmer of the Meet' for a second year in a row after sweeping the 200 IM, 400 IM, and 200 backstroke and helping the Ephs win the 800 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay, and 400 free relay.
 
The distance duo of Lily Codd and Frances Hayward led off the final session in the 1650 freestyle, the longest event of the weekend. Codd followed her 1st place finish in the 1000 freestyle with another 1st place finish in 16:38.13 setting a new pool and meet record, and Hayward raced to the finish in a tight pack ending up in 4th at 17:05.96.
 
Sophia Verkleeren won her 3rd individual event of the weekend in the 200 back handily winning the championship final in 1:58.26, 3 seconds clear of the field. Irene Yang and Alden White also joined Verkleeren in the championship final, touching 4th and 6th respectively in a 2:03.53 and 2:05.53. Caitlin Murphy swam in the consolation final touching 14th in 2:06.14 and Clementine Robins took the pre consolation final win in a time of 2:03.77.
 
The sprint duo of Zora Vujovic and Emma Dimter took on the 100 freestyle in the championship final. Dimter touched 3rd in a time of 51.04 dropping from her prelims swim this morning. Vujovic touched 8th in a 52.16.
 
Amanda Wager defended her title in the 200 breaststroke touching first in 2:12.61. Charlotte Wishnack finished right behind her teammate at 2:13.25 placing 2nd, and Carter Roebuck touched the wall 3rd in 2:18.22. Bernadette Ramoy swam a 2:23.96, dropping from her prelims swim to take third in the pre consolation final.
 
Three Ephwomen competed in the consolation and championship final of the 200 butterfly. In the consolation final, Ruby Groves touched first with the heat win in 2:06.17, Lillie Bushway 5th in a 2:07.88, and Gracie O'Connell 6th in a 2:07.99. Sam Kilcoyne swam an incredible race touching ahead of the rest of the competitors to win and defend her title in 2:01.69 and completing the butterfly sweep and setting a new pool record. Abi Greenberg and Emma Schulman joined Kilcoyne in the championship final touching 2nd and 8th respectively in a 2:03.10 and 2:08.03.
 
The meet culminated with the 400 freestyle relay where the Ephs looked to put a stamp on a very successful weekend at Middlebury. The B relay of Irene Yang (52.75), Gabby Lopez-Ona (52.83), Carter Roebuck (51.43), and Emma Schulman (51.50) took the win in the B heat, and the A relay of Zora Vujovic (51.60), Sophia Verkleeren (50.81), Emma Dimter (50.72), and Sam Kilcoyne (50.27) took the NESCAC title, ending the meet with yet another pool record.

The individual and team awards were then awarded. Adelaide Herman was awarded for NESCAC Diver of the Year and Sophia Verkleeren for NESCAC Swimmer of the Year. Amanda Wager was awarded 2nd Career High Point Swimmer Award and Sam Kilcoyne for 1st place Career High Point Swimmer Award. The Williams coaching staff was awarded with the Swimming Staff of the Year Award. 
 
This concludes the competitive season for some swimmers and divers, while others will continue to Diving Regionals March 1-2 and the NCAA Division III Championship in Greensboro, NC March 20-23.

Final Team Scores
 
1. Williams College                2002
2. Tufts University                 1628.5
3. Middlebury College            1020 
4. Bates College                      945.5
5. Colby College                     858.5
6. Amherst College                  836.5
7. Bowdoin College                 767.5
8. Hamilton College                 680
9. Wesleyan University            563.5
10. Connecticut College           531
11. Trinity College                    432