NORTH DARTMOUTH, MASS. 12/3/11 - The Keene State College women's swimming and diving team won 12 out of 16 events to capture its sixth consecutive and ninth overall Little East Conference Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. The Owls broke four championship records, including two new records set by freshman Diana Primer (West Haven, Conn.).
"Winning the Little East Conference Championship for the sixth straight time is great and I'm very happy for the girls," said coach Jack Fabian, "There were a lot of girls who contributed with first place finishes, and a lot of close second place finishes, so overall everyone had a great day and I'm very pleased with our performance."
Primer paced the Owls in her debut at the Little East Championship, setting a new standard in the 200 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley. The freshman from West Haven, Conn. shattered the 200 IM record (2:12.43), putting an additional 3.21 seconds between the previous mark. She was also the first swimmer to complete the 200 breaststroke in 2 minutes, 25.33 seconds. Primer also placed second in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.02).
Senior Jillian Whitaker (Gilford, N.H.) and classmate Maureen O'Leary (Nashua, N.H.) continued to dominate the Little East field, capturing two individual titles and breaking a championship record each. Whitaker broke her previous mark in the 100 breaststroke, when she touched the wall at 1 minute, 6.52 seconds. O'Leary lowered her 200 butterfly standard, when she tripped the timer at 2 minutes, 10.90 seconds. Whitaker also earned the 100 freestyle title, while O'Leary also raised the 100 butterfly individual trophy.
Sophomore Stephanie Murray (Haverhill, Mass.) was also a double-winner for Keene State, capturing the 100 and 200 backstroke events. Murray edged teammate Lianna Wissmann (Orleans, Mass.) for the 100 title, while the native of Haverhill, Mass. cruised to the 200 title (2:10.67).
Freshman Julie Trodden (Reading, Mass.) swept both of the long-distance races, winning the 500 freestyle (5:17.25) and the 1650 freestyle (18:16.97). The product of Reading, Mass. was the lone swimmer to cover the mile course in under 19 minutes. Classmate Taylor DaSilva (Stony Brook, N.Y.) and fellow freshman Caitlyn Shea (Salem, N.H.) each stood atop the awards podium in their first appearance at the conference championship meet. DaSilva captured the 50 freestyle, while Shea owned the 200 freestyle, respectively.
The Keene State College women's swimming and diving team is back in action on December 10, when they host Roger Williams University at the pool at Spaulding Gymnasium.
Team Standings
1. Keene State - 588
2. Eastern Connecticut - 274
3. Western Connecticut - 211
4. Westfield State - 174
5. UMass-Dartmouth - 160
6. Bridgewater State - 94
7. Plymouth State - 60
8. Rhode Island College - 44
