Simmons Swimming and Diving opened their 2010-11 season on Saturday with a loss to Westfield State, 156-128. Despite the loss, the Sharks swam well, and with their first meet out of the way are ready to tackle their November schedule.

"This is a great starting point for our team," said Head Coach Mindy Williams. "We would have loved to start out the season with a win, but we were up against some tough competition. Our times were fast, the energy was high and the team was united."

Seniors Virginia Bette (Southbury, Conn.) and Nellie Jackson (Dorchester, Mass.) both scored big points for Simmons. Bette won the 200 Free and the 100 Back. Jackson finished first in the 50 Fly. Both women battled it out in the 50 Free, along with sophomore teammate, Marissa Soucy (Mount Vernon, N.H.), finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th overall.

Rookie swimmer Amy Davis (Southbury, Conn.) finished second in the 100 Fly. Senior distance specialist Hannah McQuillan (Florence, Mass.) also finished second in the 1000 Free.

Senior diver Amanda Dirksmeier (Marshfield, Mass.) finished second on both 1-meter and 3-meter springboards.

Simmons' 200 Free Relay (Jackson, Davis, Soucy, Bette) finished first by a commanding three seconds over Westfield.

The Sharks will continue to train this week for their meet at Elms College on Saturday, November 6 at 1:00pm.