The women's swimming team pulled a page from the New York Yankees' book this season, having accomplished a Steinbrenner-esque transaction. Joining the Jumbos' roster this season is junior Kendall Swett, the reigning Div. III 3-meter National Champion and a four-time All-American.
Swett, an Akron, Ohio, native, transferred to Brown Town after spending two years as a Forester at Lake Forest College in Illinois. She joins a program that has typically been strong but has suffered through a dry spell in recent years, with the last diver to earn All-American honors, Beth Wecksell, doing so in 2004.
"Tufts has had a tradition of very competitive swimming and diving teams in the past and has had many NESCAC and several national champions," diving coach Brad Snodgrass said. "In 2004 Wecksell earned All-American honors at the NCAA Championship, but we haven't had a diver go the NCAA's since then, so we are very excited about Kendall coming to Tufts."
But with the addition of Swett, and six other new divers to the program, the Jumbos look to be fierce competitors in the diving competition this winter.
"Her intensity and dedication has really set a tone for our incoming class of divers who are also very talented," head swim coach Nancy Bigelow said. "Diving will definitely be our strength this season."
While the successful swimming program and metropolitan draw of Boston might lure many athletes to Tufts, it was the art history program that brought Swett to Medford. After spending two years at Lake Forest, Kendall realized the art history program there was not as extensive as she needed and began researching programs that would help her pursue her interest in the field.
"Lake Forest College has two art history professors, and they can't cover a large number of periods of art between the two of them," Swett said. "I transferred purely for academic reasons. I have found Tufts to be the challenge I was looking for."
Swett is happy with her transition to Boston and the swimming and diving program, and her fellow Jumbos are elated to have her join the team.
"She is a wonderful person and a huge asset to the program both in and out of the pool," senior tri-captain Shanti Sattler said. "She is an extremely hard worker and very dedicated to her sport."
Swett's transfer puts a wealth of Div. III diving talent in the Boston area and adds a twist to the junior's daily training regimen. Because Tufts does not have adequate diving facilities, its divers must travel to MIT to practice, which will put Swett, the defending Div. III champion, and the diver she beat, MIT junior Doria Holbrook, in the same pool. While Holbrook was able to edge Swett for the national title in 2005, Swett took the crown in 2006 and relegated Holbrook to runner-up status.
"The fact that she could train with the woman she beat at Nationals only excited her more," Bigelow said. "She felt that they could push each other to a whole new level of excellence."
Swett agreed with Bigelow's sentiments about training at MIT and with Holbrook.
"Between Tufts and MIT, we have people working on all different levels," Swett said. "This allows for a more laid-back and fun environment."
Though a 16-event swim meet only fields two diving events - the 1-meter and the 3-meter - the Jumbos will bank on strong performances in those two with Swett on the Hull. Having a successful diving program earns the team relatively few points, but valuable ones.
"It has been quite a transition," Swett said. "But I have had lots of support, and I am really looking forward to the future."
Swett has trained hard all fall and continues to work hard as the leader of an up-and-coming diving program. The divers will look for their first wins this weekend as they host NESCAC rival Conn. College at Hamilton Pool on Saturday and venture to Hartford, Conn., to take on Trinity on Sunday.
