University of Massachusets Athletics
Women Tabbed To Finish Third In A-10 Preseason Poll
October 10, 2011 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 10, 2011
AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass women's swimming and diving team was selected to finish third in the Atlantic 10 this season by the leagues head coaches. With the release of the preseason coaches poll, UMass is picked to finish behind defending A-10 Champs Richmond and last years second place finishers Fordham.
Last season head coach Bob Newcomb led his women to a third place finish, scoring a total of 397.5 points. The Minutewomen were led by Molly Elkins, who was selected as the Women's Most Outstanding Diver. Elkins captured the lone gold medal for the women in the one-meter dive with a score of 251.80, and silver in the three-meter (247.40).
Numerous school records were set during last year's A-10's including the 800 free relay team of Anna Cavanaugh, Tavis Potter, Amina Meho and Chelsea Downing touching the wall at 7:30.43 good for third place in the event.
Downing set another school record in the 400 IM with a time of 4:30.13, breaking her previous record in the event. Cavanaugh also finished sixth in the 200 free with a time of 1:52.68.
There were three top-eight finishes in the 100 breast for the Minutewomen. Jessica Starosielec finished fourth (1:04.97), followed by Meghan Nowak in fifth (1:05.37) and Potter in eighth (1:06.12).
The women open up this season at Joseph Rogers Pool on Saturday Oct. 15 at 1:00 PM against Boston University. It is their first of six home meets this season.
The 2012 Atlantic 10 Championships will be held Feb. 22-25 at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y.
2012 Women's Swimming And Diving Preseason Coaches Poll
(2011 Championship results in parenthesis)
1. Richmond (1)
2. Fordham (2)
3. Massachusetts (3)
4. La Salle (4)
5. Duquesne (6)
6. St. Bonaventure (4)
7. George Washington (8)
8. Xavier (9)
9. Rhode Island (7)
10. Saint Louis (10)
