Today marks the silver anniversary of the women’s NCAA Division III Championships, but if you ask the Ladies of Kenyon College, they want nothing to do with the color. Last year as Emory claimed its first-ever title, Kenyon earned silver, and that’s not a color the Ladies feel suits them. It would be a mistake to think that Emory won’t give up the title without a fight, however. Those two, plus Williams and Denison, (the only other teams to ever win Division III titles), could make the 25th anniversary championships the most competitive to date. If so, the team race could out shadow one of the greatest performances in Division III swimming.

Following last season’s breakthrough victory, Emory retains much of its championship team. Emory boasts a trio of stars in Samantha White (defending 500 free champion and top-ranked in the 500 and 1650 this season), Holly Hinz (distance free and 400 IM) and Jamie Lawlor (backstroke). With White and Hinz, the Eagles will be able to overcome the graduation of Leigh Campbell. A bigger question is who will step forward to replace the 1-2 sprint punch of graduated seniors Hillary Lane and Dana Inserra. If Lawlor, Sara Hostelet, and Lyle Holmes can come through, the Eagles will be tough to beat.

Much of Kenyon’s history is tied to the impact of major players. Patty Abt won 26 career titles and Carla Ainsworth was recently named the NCAA’s Division III Most Outstanding Swimmer of the past quarter century, but this year’s squad lacks the ordinary Kenyon star-power. Breaststroker Jessica Connors and freestyler Rebecca Allison are the only two Ladies ranked in the top three in their respective events. What Kenyon does have, however, is a full squad who ensure a purple presence in every event. It will be up to a lesser-known group of upperclassmen to lead a talented, but largely untested group of freshmen.

Williams College hasn’t won the NCAA Championship since 1983 but one Eph in particular will prove the story of the year. Lindsay Payne won the 100 breaststroke in 2002, 2003, and 2005 and was one of two Division III women represented at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials. At last month’s NESCAC championships Payne lowered her own Division record by a full two seconds. It’s not just a one-woman show however. Teammate Amanda Nicholson is seeded second in the 200 backstroke and an outstanding 400 IMer while Chrissy Haley is one of the most versatile performers in the meet, boasting top eight times in both IM’s and the 200 fly.

The only remaining squad numbering in the double digits is Denison. Like Emory, Denison graduated a couple of important pieces to its national team and like Kenyon, the Big Red will look for several underclassmen to step forward. If they can, the Big Red should secure a big trophy for the 12th straight year. Mary Dain aims to unseat defending 100 butterfly champion Marika Ross of Middlebury. Newcomer Annamarie Novinger, appears destined to become the next big think for Denison. Though only seeded 6th and 9th in the 100 and 200 freestyles, the Novinger swam much of the season with a broken arm. In Minneapolis, the freshman won’t have to swim single-handedly, but she will have to perform if Denison is to be a factor in the team race.

Though small in numbers, Amherst should be able to put up a sizeable point total because of people like Brittany Sasser and Meaghan Stern. Sasser swept the backstrokes last season and takes the top times into this year’s championships while Stern ranks among the top three in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyles. Those two will assure Amherst a presence in each of the freestyle relays, however the Jeffs will need to find a breaststroker if they’re to keep the pressure on in the medley relays.

Aside from the above five teams, several outstanding individuals are sprinkled among the other fifty teams attending the meet. Last year Calvin’s Becky Weima won the 200 freestyle and this year the Junior is seeded first in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles. Marika Ross, defending champion in the 100 butterfly, will attempt to add a 200 fly title to her resume. Two swimmers – Beth Groselle of Hiram and Kaitlyn Ornstein of Washington and Jefferson – have event titles to their name and have their dad on deck coaching with them. Groselle won the 100 breaststroke in 2004 while Ornstein swept both IM’s last year. Other lone wolves in the meet include Emily Lesher of Nazareth College. Lesher is seeded first in the 400 IM and likely to face Whitworth’s Samantha Kephart. Franklin & Marshall’s Jenna Walters is a contender in the 200 and 500 freestyle. Finally the 50 free is emblematic of the parity that is gradually working its way across Division III with ten schools ranked in the top ten in the event.