"We had a great year last year, and we hope to have another great one," said Coach Nick Nichols.
The season begins Nov. 25 with a meet against Wesleyan University at 6:00 p.m. at Pratt Pool. Wesleyan has been a weak team the last few years and is looking to start the season with a win.
The Middlebury meet on Dec. 7 should be the biggest of the fall semester. "It should be close this year, but hopefully we'll still beat them," said co-captain Morgan Bayer '03.
In January, Amherst will compete against Little III rival Williams College.
Immediately after the meet against the Ephs, the Jeffs travel to Puerto Rico for training. The Jeffs will spend their time in Puerto Rico preparing mentally and physically for the rest of their season. "We're away from all the distractions," said Nichols.
Co-captain Rory Miller '03 spoke highly of Bayer. "Bayer is set to have a phenomenal senior season," she said. Bayer is a two-time national champion in the 200-yard butterfly and also excels at distance freestyle.
Miller explained that the team is comprised of many "versatile and talented" sophomores.
Jill Wyrick '05 had an incredible freshman season, doing the individual medley and breaststroke. Rebecca Stein '05 is a dominant sprint freestyler while Michelle McCreary '05 became one of the top backstrokers. Liz Chiang '05 will look to contribute as a strong sprint freestyler and backstroker.
The two divers are Kathryn Shaw '05 and Kristin Boyd '05. "We feel like they'll get the job done for us at almost every meet," said Nichols. The Jeffs lost All-American diver Cathy Poor '02 to graduation.
Bayer described the incoming freshman group as "small but mighty." Bayer characterized the team as excited, enthusiastic, and prepared after a good preseason. "I think we look really good," she said.
Miller said that the team is ready for an excellent 2002-2003 campaign. "I am incredibly excited for this season," she said.