Massachusetts looks to capture its third consecutive men’s crown while Richmond seeks its Championship-record eighth straight women’s title at the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, to be held Feb. 18-21 at the Flickinger Aquatics Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Richmond claimed its seventh consecutive title a year ago as it won eight individual events and four relays to turn aside runner-up Xavier, 690.5-488.0. It marked the Musketeers’ highest-ever finish since joining the Conference in 1995-96. Richmond is anchored by senior Lauren Beaudreau, the meet’s Most Outstanding Performer two years ago who is vying for her fourth gold medal in both the 200-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley events. XU is led by sophomore Kari Peglar, who was tabbed the Most Outstanding Rookie Performer at last year’s Championship and established a program record in the 200-yard backstroke (2:02.47) at the Akron Zippy Invitational (Dec. 5-7).
Joining Xavier in its attempt to unseat Richmond are Duquesne, Fordham, George Washington, La Salle, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure, Saint Louis and Xavier.
Massachusetts claimed its seventh A-10 men’s title in the past eight years after turning aside then defending champion St. Bonaventure, 791.5-567.5, at the 2008 Championship. The Minutemen have captured 10 league Championships, the most of any program in the Conference. Joining UMass and St. Bonaventure in the quest for the title are Duquesne, Fordham, George Washington, La Salle, Saint Louis and Xavier The Minutemen are led by junior Juan Moliere, the defending champion in the 50-yard freestyle and bronze medalist in the 100-yard freestyle a year ago.
George Washington senior David Zenk seeks to become the league’s first-ever three-time Most Outstanding Performer recipient on the men’s side and capture his fourth gold medal in the 200-yard individual medley. The St. Louis, Mo., native has been tabbed the A-10 Performer of the Week three times this season and nine times for his career.
The Championship commences at 4:30pm on Wednesday, Feb. 18, with the trials of the women’s one-meter diving competition, followed by the finals of the men’s and women’s 200-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relays at 6:30pm, along with the finals of the women’s one-meter diving competition. The Championship continues at 10:30am on Thursday with time trials, followed by the finals at 6:30pm. The same schedule will be followed on Friday and Saturday.
School-By-School Previews
George Washington Swimming Gear Up for A-10 Championships
UMass Swimming And Diving Ready For A-10 Championships
Rams Swimming and Diving Set for Atlantic 10 Championships
Spiders Hope Eighth-Straight A-10 Swimming & Diving Title On The Horizon
