Swim and Dive Hosts Pioneer Valley Invite

Complete Results

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Dec. 6, 2008) - The Mount Holyoke College swimming and diving team hosted both Smith College and Westfield State College at the non-scoring Pioneer Valley Invitational today. Smith dominated the field, taking ten of the 21 events. The Pioneers swept the four relay races and totaled six individual wins. Westfield State came away with eight victories, and Mount Holyoke grabbed three.

Leading the way for Smith was sophomore Lily Seidman, who figured in on seven wins. She tapped the wall first in the 200-yard individual medley (2:21.49), the 200-yard butterfly (2:20.43) and the 200-yard freestyle (2:08.04). In addition, she was a member of all four victorious relay squads. Juniors Rachel Dorset and Christine Dzialo, along with sophomore Lenora Walter, tallied four wins apiece.

Westfield State was paced by senior Aimee Raposo, who posted first place results in the 50-yard (35.21), 200-yard (2:50.30) and 100-yard (1:16.95) breaststroke races. First year Kim Schmidt also fared well for the Owls. She notched first place in both the 1-meter (370.25) and 3-meter (346.35) diving events.

Mount Holyoke overcame illness and injury to claim top honors in three swimming events. First year Lydia Bowers was the top finisher in the 50-yard freestyle (26.64), and junior Amanda McGrosky won the 400-yard individual medley (5:23.53). The Lyons third win came from sophomore Michelle Kroll, who touched the wall first in the 100-yard backstroke (1:08.71). Though she was unable to win a race this year, senior captain Natalia Sadianantz competed in all 19 swimming events for the fourth year in a row.

Mount Holyoke (1-3) will be off until Saturday, January 17, when it hosts Simmons College for a dual-meet beginning at 1:00 p.m. Smith (2-2) will participate in the Wheaton College Invitational on Saturday, January 10 at noon, while Westfield State (3-1) will entertain Eastern Connecticut State University for a dual-meet on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Mount Holyoke Winners
Lydia Bowers - 50 freestyle (26.64)
Amanda McGrosky - 400 individual medley (5:23.53)
Michelle Kroll - 100 back (1:08.71)

Westfield State Winners
Kimi Schmidt - 1 meter diving (370.25), 3 meter diving (346.35)
Aimee Raposo - 50 breaststroke (35.21), 200 breaststroke (2:50.30), 100 breaststroke (1:16.95)
Cairsten Beanland - 500 freestyle (5:42.59
Angie Wasylik - 50 butterfly (29.97)
Kelly Johnson - 200 backstroke (2:26.00)

Smith Winners
Relay Team - 200 freestyle (1:45.95)
Lily Seidman - 200 individual medley (2:21.49), 200 butterfly (2:20.43), 200 freestyle (2:08.04)
Relay Team - 400 medley (4:36.50)
Relay Team - 200 medley (2:02.17)
Lenora Walter - 50 backstroke (30.71)
Rachel Dorset - 100 butterfly (1:06.26)
Christine Dzialo - 100 freestyle (58.47)
Relay Team - 400 freestyle (4:00.17)