BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons College is in full preparation to host the 2011 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships and the Men's GNAC Invitational on Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th. The Sharks welcome Elms College, Husson University, Norwich University, Regis College, Saint Joseph College (Conn.), and Saint Joseph's College (Maine) for the two-day conference event.

Simmons:
The Sharks have captured nine conference titles in the past ten years and enter the meet with an overall record of 2-2, and are lead by senior captains Steph Bitzas (Westfield, Mass.) and Suzie Quinlan (Needham, Mass.).

Elms College:
The Blazers women are 3-3 on the season while the men moved to 1-2 to begin the year. Elm's captain Katie Roberts (Torrington, Conn.) will lead a seasoned Blazer's team back to the Holmes Sports Center where Elms and Simmons met earlier this year. The Elm's men are captained by Garrett Brune (Lakeville, Mass.).

Husson University:
The Eagles, led by captains Bethany Beaulieu (Anson, Maine) and Megan Call (Levant, Maine), are 0-2 to start the 2011-2012 season. Husson holds the GNAC Championship record in the 100 Free swam by C. Howard in 2005 with a time of 56.48.

Norwich University:
The Cadets, who captured the GNAC title in 1999 and 2000, are lead by captains Molly Andreo (Bedford, N.H.) and Felicia Jones (Sherburne, N.Y.) on the women's side, and Kevin Weber (Stephentown, N.Y.) and Chris Hevey (Biddeford, Maine) anchor the men's side. The Cadet women and men have each posted an 0-3 record to begin the season.

Regis College:
The Regis women's team is 2-2 overall and is lead by Haley Bowen (Litchfield, N.H.) and Shannan O'Neil (Lowell, Mass.) coming into their first appearance in the GNAC Championship. The Pride men's team is undefeated at 4-0 and looks to continue their success this weekend with Zack Earl (Mexico, N.Y.) and Alexander Graf Newton, Mass.) leading the way.

Saint Joseph College (Conn.):
The Blue Jays are 2-1 in their 2011-2012 campaign with Allyson Nelson (Granby, Conn.), Shannon Dunn (Litchfield, Conn.), and Jessica Gale (East Hartford, Conn.) contributing with high point finishes. The Blue Jays' strong relays will be crucial this weekend.

Saint Joseph's College (Maine):
The Monks women are 1-2 on the season against three teams competing at the Championships this weekend. Captained by Hannah Gajewski (Biddeford, Maine), Anne Roberts (Hopkinton, N.H.), and Jamie Wojtkiewicz (Bedford, N.H.), the Monks finished fourth at the 2010 GNAC Championships. The Monks men are 1-1 this season and are lead by Kevin Towne (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and Brian Grasser (Groton, Conn.).

Weekend Schedule of Events:

Saturday Events: 10:30 a.m. Start

200 Free Relay
500 Free
200 IM
50 Free
100 Fly
(10 Minute Break)
200 Free
100 Breast
50 Fly
200 Back
(10 Minute Break)
400 Medley Relay
1 Meter Diving (11 Dives)
*Finals begin at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday Events 10:00 a.m. Start

200 Medley Relay
1000 Free (top-8 with finals)
50 Breast
100 Back
100 Free
(10 Minute Break)
100 IM
200 Breast
200 Fly
50 Back
(10 Minute Break)
400 Free Relay
(5 Minute Break)
1000 Free
(Timed Final Only, swum here after prelims)
3 Meter Diving (6 Dives)
*Finals begin at 5:00 p.m.