Men
In 2007, the men placed third in the NESCAC championships behind Tufts University and Williams College. Eight swimmers qualified for the NCAA Championships, leading Amherst to a 10th place finish and capping off one of the men’s most successful seasons.
Although the men lost eight seniors, among them NCAA swimmers Andrew Maslan and Derek Prill and diver Connor Boyd, who placed 20th and 16th on the one- and three-meter boards at the NCAA meet, the Jeffs return a number of talented swimmers along with a few promising first-years. Tri-captain Christian Witzke and diver Kai Robinson lead an extremely strong senior class, with Witzke dominating the freestyle events and Robinson, last year’s NCAA champion on both boards, making up for quantity with quality as the team’s lone diver. The small but talented junior class consists of Tad Homchick and Hunter Mims, with Homchick making big contributions this season in the sprint free events as a retuning NCAA competitor. Also returning are sophomores Ryan Colby and Alex Fraser, who both competed at the NCAA meet in 2008. The Jeffs also welcome seven new members of the class of 2012, all of whom are well-rounded contributors.
“The men’s team may have its most talented roster ever,” enthused Witzke. “The team has depth and talent in almost every event and is capable of competing with any team in Div. III. The team seems motivated to have one of its best seasons in school history. We’re capable of completing an undefeated dual meet season, including the potential for the first win over Williams in five years, and hope to qualify our largest number ever for NCAAs on our way to what could be a top-five finish nationally.”
Women
After an undefeated dual meet season in 2007-08, the women took third in the NESCAC championships. Ten Amherst women stormed onto the Nationals scene to take second place for the second consecutive year, along with a third consecutive Coach of the Meet Honors for Head Coach Nick Nichols, smashing several records along the way.
If the women plan to make a run for the national title, they will have to do so without star swimmer Brittany Sasser ’08. Sasser wrapped up one of the most celebrated careers in Div. III history last year, defending her national backstroke title with new national records. In her four years, she won eight individual NCAA titles, never lost a backstroke event and was a two-time finalist for Div. III Woman Athlete of the Year. The women lost another NCAA swimmer last year, Lisa Pritchard ’08, leaving key relay spots open.
“I think many people are wondering what will happen to the team without a swimmer like Brittany, a huge point earner at all levels,” said Meaghan Stern ’09, “but the team overall is very strong, which is a huge testament to the program that Nick [Nichols] has built up over the last few years. We’ve looked pretty good in practice these first two weeks of the season and had some great swims at our team time trial event last week.”
Sisters Meaghan and Kendra Stern ’11 headline the women’s climb back onto the national podium. The Stern sisters cleaned up at Nationals, dominating the freestyle events, with Kendra Stern earning six national titles in her first year with the program. Tri-captains Kara MacLaverty ’09 and Erin Morrison ’09, along with Alex Lee ’09, Kendall Dacey ’10, Ellen Fitzgerald ’10, and diver Meggie Meisinger ’11 return from last year’s national team, while the team welcomes six first-years whose events span the whole program.
“Obviously, things are going to be really different without our class of 2008, especially Brittany and Lisa, and we have some really key relay spots to fill,” said the younger Stern. “But these things happen and it’s a good opportunity for new people, sophomores and freshmen especially, to step up. I think we are all really excited about the possibilities for the season and everyone is really pumped to start off strong.”