Women's Swimming aims for place in Ivy's elite

Two points.

That's all it took to shatter Penn's hopes of placing in the top five for the first time in Penn women's swimming history at last year's Ivy League Championships.

This season, the team is back with a vengeance.

"It was heartbreaking to be that close," senior co-captain Jessie Anders said. "But we're so much stronger this year, so I think we're all ready to show what we've got."

Coming off one of the most successful seasons in Penn history, the Quakers head into their first meet against Richmond and William & Mary this weekend with a mission.

"We have our sights set high this season," Anders said. "I've never been on such a strong team, and I see nothing but greatness in our future."

With Penn returning 10 school record holders, two All-Ivy selections, nine Ivy finalists, and its first individual Ancient Eight champion since 1983, it serves good reason that the Quakers are prepped for the upcoming season.

Factor in a talented crop of 12 freshmen and two transfers, and the squad's optimism about the coming season is even more understandable.

With hopes of improving on its 2001-02 overall record of 8-4 (3-4 Ivy), Penn will look to its team depth and talent.

The Quakers have been traditionally strong in the sprint and middle distance freestyle events, and will be propelled once again this year by senior national qualifier Katie Stores.

Stores, the 2002 Ivy champion in the 200 freestyle and the Quakers' record holder in every freestyle event under 500 yards, is joined in the sprint events by Ivy finalist Linda Fescoe and freshman Laura Hotaling, a senior national finalist and last year's New York State Champion.

"All of our new swimmers are incredibly talented. We've definitely gotten better," Stores said. "After the disappointment last year, we're just excited and ready to get back and win it."

Last year's second-team All-Ivy selection Kathleen Holthaus is expected to lead the group of distance swimmers.

Junior Rebecca Shore and sophomores Julia Russack, Maureen Schriver and Katie Coxe -- all of whom were Ivy consolation finalists last year -- bring depth to the distance events.

This year's squad boasts the three fastest breaststrokers in Red and Blue history with Ancient Eight finalists Jennifer Block and Ashley Rader, and transfer Anne Tudryn, a two-time Big East runner-up.

Both the backstroke and butterfly events feature a combination of experience and rookie talent. Megan Daney, another transfer from Syracuse, is expected to make a major contribution.

The diving events return last year's best diver, Ashley Zeigler, and welcome freshman Kelly Tek, a junior national qualifier and Tennessee state finalist.

This weekend, the Quakers look to repeat last year's victory over Richmond. Penn believes its performance this weekend will go a long way in setting the tone for the rest of the season.

"We're going against some fast competition, which is good to have at the beginning," Hotaling said.

Co-captains Anders and Lauren Dawe will be the driving force as the Red and Blue aim to carry their record success from last year into this season.

"We've got an amazing freshman class with a great work ethic and a positive attitude about the season," Anders said.

"We're definitely a force to be reckoned with."

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