BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons Swimming & Diving will kick off their 2013-2014 season on Saturday with the goal to remain undefeated in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. The Sharks finished with a dual meet record of 8-5 last season and repeated as GNAC Champions for the 9th straight year. The team finished 8th out of 22 at the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association Championships, jumping three places from the previous year.
Returning for the Sharks this winter are seasoned veterans Amy Davis (Southbury, Conn.), Jen Collins (Trumbull, Conn.), Chloe Davis (Merrimack, N.H.), Joleigh Ferro (Pittsfield, Mass.) and Hillary Wong (Quincy, Mass.). Amy Davis scored 237 points last season with 14 individual event wins. She earned All-NEISDA honors for her 8th place finish in the 50 Fly at New England's and was voted as a senior captain for the Sharks this season.
Jen Collins, a senior captain, returns to the pool this weekend after a semester abroad last spring. Collins is the school record holder in the 100 Free and 100 IM events, as well as the 800 Free Relay. She won the 100 Free, 200 Free and 200 IM events at last year's GNAC Championship and finished first in 2012 at the New England Championships.
Junior Chloe Davis won the 200 Backstroke at the GNAC Championship last December and was a member of four school-record setting relays during the 2012-2013 season. She finished in the top-16 in all three of her events at New England's and will continue to be dominant force for the Sharks. Ferro currently holds the school record in the 200 Free alongside teammates Chole Davis and Amy Davis and Wong is a member school-record setting 400 Free and 800 Free relay teams.
Simmons graduated five seniors last spring and will have 17 newcomers joining the roster, adding a new level of depth in numbers. Bringing new energy and experience to the team are first years Shylee Stewart (Eastham, Mass.), Miriam Swisher (Americus, Ga.), Maggie Kirby (Arnold, Md.), Julie Nguyen (Salem, Mass.), Hannah Plourde (Westfield, Mass.) and Sarah Price (New York, N.Y.). "The class of 2017 brings depth and talent in all events, including diving. This is a very versatile and dedicated group of rookies," said Head Coach Mindy Williams.
In addition to defending their 2012 GNAC Championship title, the Sharks aim to improve their dual meet record and settle the scores from last year's close loses.
"This year's roster is full of competitors. Everyone seems to share a mindset of striving to be the best. I know what these women are capable of, now it's just a matter of broadcasting that to our opponents. I think that 2013-2014 will be the start of a new Era with Simmons Swimming & Diving," said Coach Williams.
The Sharks open their 2013-2014 season on Saturday, Oct. 26 at home against Westfield State University at 3:30 PM.