The women's swimming and diving team ended its season two weeks ago, taking seventh place at the NESCAC championships at Williams College, and finishing with a 1-4 record in dual meets and an 0-2 record in their only tri-meet. The team came off of a 2012-13 campaign where they took third at the NESCAC championships.
With the NCAA Div. III championships two weeks away, Tufts will not compete, as the only Jumbo who qualified - senior Jenny Hu - decided not to attend. Her 104.01 time in the 100-yard breaststroke would have seeded her 10th in the nation.
The Jumbos couldn't repeat last season's success. Hindered by the loss of a number of their strongest swimmers and divers in last year's graduating class, and by the closure of Hamilton Pool in January, the team had to drastically alter its training regimen in the second half of the season.
The team relocated practices to the facilities at MIT and the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Malden and held practices as early as 6 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m. Given these difficulties, many members of the team are satisfied with the results of their season.
"One of the goals we set as we went into the season was putting in a better effort at dual meets," senior tri-captain Emma Van Lieshout said. "Though our record this season might not completely show this, we were very pleased with how we did collectively as a team at each meet, and walked away from each challenge knowing what we needed to do to prepare for the next."
Due to the pool's closure, only one meet was held at Tufts this season -- a close, 163-131 loss to Keene State on Nov. 23.
Head coach Nancy Bigelow's team, despite its disappointing regular season record and finish at NESCACs, saw accomplishments in other areas.
"We set many goals at the beginning of the season, one of which was to defend our third-place finish at NESCACs," senior tri-captain Laura Burns said. "Unfortunately, we didn't accomplish that goal, but we reached many of our other team goals, like setting records in the weight room, increasing team cheering at meets and practice and strengthening our relationship with the men's team."
Tufts also had impressive performances in the pool this season from several individuals, whose efforts boosted the team's morale. Hu, one of the team's most prolific breaststrokers and biggest point contributors this season, finished her Tufts career remarkably. Though she began the season handicapped by a pelvis injury, she came back to lead the Jumbos for much of the season.
She finished her 2013-14 run at NESCACs by winning a conference title in the 50 breaststroke - setting school records in the 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke - recording national B cut times in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, as well as earning second place in the Senior High Point Award.
"Because I broke my pelvis this fall, I wasn't going into the season with too many expectations," Hu said. "I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to finish the season, so I am thrilled with the way I ended my season and my swimming career. I swam best times in my main events and got to swim on four relays at NESCACs."
Throughout the season, the team's diving contingent consistently scored. Senior Sami Bloom and freshman Kylie Reiman were dominant in the first half of the season. Together, they took first place in every diving event the team competed in until the MIT Invitational on Dec. 6 and 7, and continued to contribute this semester.
Like last year, the graduation of this year's senior class will be a significant loss to the team. Nevertheless, this year's leaders are confident that the rest of the team will be able to carry the team forward and bring Tufts back into contention as one of the top teams in the NESCAC.
"There is no doubt in my mind that the young talent on the team will step up next year," Hu said. "The team dynamics will definitely be changing, but that happens every year, and I am excited to see the juniors really step up as leaders on the team next year."
With the addition of a strong freshman class, coach Bigelow and the Jumbos are optimistic about their prospects for next season.
"I am very excited for our team's potential next season," said Burns. "We have some fresh recruits coming in that will bring speed and energy, but also this year's freshmen will have a year under their belts so they can push their training and set targeted goals. I also believe that the team leadership will be very strong next year, and that they will set a precedent for intensity in the pool and camaraderie out of the water."
