University of Massachusets Athletics
Swim Teams Head To Conference Championships
February 18, 2004 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Feb. 18, 2004
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The University of Massachusetts swimming and diving teams are in Buffalo, N.Y., preparing for the Atlantic 10 conference championships, beginning tomorrow morning with the first preliminary swims.
The men's team looks to tie an A-10 Championship record by claiming its fourth-straight crown, and their seventh in the last nine years. The Minutemen can join Penn State (1983-87) as the only programs in conference history to capture four consecutive conference crowns. During their 4-1 season, the UMass men boasted several weekly conference accolades. Junior Dylan Smith (Timonium, Md.) was a two-time A-10 Performer of the Week, while also receiving an ECAC Swimmer of the Week nod. Freshmen Greg Chartier (Amherst, Mass.) and Evan Swisher (N. Bennington, Vt.) were each named A-10 Rookie of the Week twice, while Swisher was chosen as a two-time Dinn Brothers / UMass Athlete of the Week as well. Junior Justin Zeimetz (Rochester, N.H.) was also an A-10 Performer of the Week recipient for his efforts in the UMass victory over Fordham in their final regular season meet of the year.
"This is the culmination of everything we work toward all year," said men's Head Coach Russ Yarworth. "Everything that we do all year in some way prepares for the conference meet. The kids all know it and believe it, and we are very confident that we can be succesful again this year."
On the women's side, the Minutewomen must fend off the defending champion Richmond Spiders to return to the top of the podium. Massachusetts won the championship in the 2000-01 season, and was the last team to take the crown before Richmond. The UMass women swam to a 3-3 regular season record, while swiping two conference accolades of their own. Senior captains Diana Alberti (Wantagh, N.Y.) and Lauren Rowell (Hamburg, N.Y.) were named co-A-10 Performers of the Week, following their strong efforts at the Nutmeg Invitational in December.
"I am very happy with the way we swam this season," said women's Head Coach Bob Newcomb. "We ended the regular season on a great note by beating Fordham. The team is excited to come out of its 'tapering down' period and really swim its best laps of the season at the conference meet."