Schonborn Earns "Lyon of the Week" Accolades

Swimming and diving team member Lindsay Schonborn has been named “Lyon of the Week” for the week of February 15-21. The senior figured in on seven school records at the 2010 NEWMAC Championships over the weekend. As a team, Mount Holyoke shattered eight program records en route to an eighth place finish at the competition.

In addition to taking seventh place in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:14.79 on Friday, Schonborn also contributed to record setting performances in both of the day’s relay races. After teaming with sophomore Sarah Rooney, first year Joan Burton and sophomore Lydia Bowers to post a sixth place result in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:41.09, she went on to secure fifth place in the 400-yard medley relay along with Burton, Bowers and first year Nora Cunningham. The quartet finished the race in 4:07.12.

Schonborn added three more school records to her resume on Saturday. Her time of 1:09.02 in the preliminary round of the 100-yard breaststroke was good for tops in program history, and she also established a new 50-yard breaststroke record with her first split time of 32.65 in the race. The senior went on to take sixth place in the event with her time of 1:10.41 in the finals. She then joined forces with Burton, Rooney and Bowers to collect seventh place in the 800-yard freestyle relay with a time of 8:06.36.

The final school record of the weekend was established on Sunday by Schonborn, Burton, Bowers and Cunningham, who completed the 400-yard freestyle relay in 3:41.32.

Annual Snow Plunge

So here are a couple of pics from the teams annual snow plunge. The challenge this year - lack of snow!! Hard to believe the mid-Atlantic states are buried. They forecast up to 8 inches yesterday - final total - 1/4" - and that may be generous. so no snow angels, or snow ball fight, but we "plunged" anyway.


Best,
DA

7 Sisters Cheers

We were excited to host the 7 Sisters Championship this year. This is a great 2 day championship that embodies the best of competition and sportsmanship. On Saturday night all the athletes and coaches get together for a banquet were the teams intermingle at the tables and get a chance to talk about each college and program.

On Sunday there are a couple of long standing traditions including a 7 Sisters Cheer that is led by the seniors (pictured on the right) and the hokey poky!

This years meet produced some great races and each team won at least 1 event.

Mount Holyoke's Joanie Burton ('12) walked away with the 200 fly and then anchored the 400 free relay, which won by almost 3 seconds and shattered the previous college record by 2 seconds. The relay consisted of Lindsay Schonborn '09, Lydia Bowers '11, Nora Cunningham '12 and Burton. For some reason I am unable to upload their picture. I'll try again tomorrow.

Fitness Center Upate

Construction of the Fitness Center is in the final stages! The new cardio equipment is in place and we are waiting on the strength training equipment, which should arrive within the next week. The Grand Opening is scheduled for September 25th. This will give us time to train both the faculty/staff on how to run the equipment, as well as hire and train the new student monitors.

Here is video of the space as of today - 8-27-09.




This is a video of the first floor that will include the strength training equipment and the cardio equipment. Each cardio machine has an individual TV screen that has access to cable television, as well as an Ipod docking station so you can listen to your own music or watch your own shows/movies. Each machine also has a USB port that allows you to develop, record and track your workouts on-line through LifeFitness!



The mezzanine level that will include spinning bikes, stability/physio balls and dumbbells. This will also be a class space for Yoga and Pilate's.

It will definitely be a great space and we are looking forward to it opening soon!

Best,
DA

NCAA Swim Suit Rules

Here is the link to a quick article on the NCAA Swimming Committees recommendations for swim suits. Hopefully the rules will be approved by the next level of rules committees. This is about where we were last year, when the main rules committee overturned the recommendation to ban suits.

We will have to wait and see, but I suspect this is not the last we will hear about swim suits!

Best,
DA

PS - The NFHSA just banned the suits as well.

Swimming and Diving Grabs CSCAA Academic All-American Accolades

Once again the team was recognized by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America for our team GPA. The team posted a GPA of 3.40 for the spring semester. Here is a link to the MHC article .

Best,
DA

Smile

Check out this article about a project in Minnesota. Natalia Stefanova who is in the lead picture and quoted in the article is an MHC swim alum!

Here is the link.

Best,
DA