Feb. 18, 2003

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. -- The 2002 Patriot League women's swimming & diving titleist Navy Midshipmen will attempt to defend their title at the 2003 Patriot League Swimming & Diving Championship, taking place at Bucknell's Arthur D. Kinney Jr. Natatorium, Thursday, Feb. 20 through Saturday, Feb. 22.

The Mids were the pre-season pick of the League's coaches and sports information directors to win the 2003 crown. Navy is led by all-star Tori Throckmorton (Ann Arbor, Mich.). The sophomore, who was the Nov. 19 Women's Swimmer of the Week, claimed the gold medal in the 100 butterfly and came in third in the 50 freestyle at last year's championship.

Navy is also expecting solid performances out of All-League recipients Allison Moon (Bradenton, Fla.) and Megan Welsh (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.). Moon, the Dec. 10 Women's Swimmer of the Week, touched the wall second in the 50 freestyle and was the bronze medalist in the 100 free. At last year's championship, Welsh was the runner-up in the 200 freestyle and finished fourth in the 100.

The newest addition to the Mids is freshman Jenn Windstein (Lancaster, Pa.). The rookie has been tabbed the Patriot League Women's Swimmer of the Week twice this season, including the opening week (Oct. 29). Windstein has the fastest time in the League during the 2003 campaign in the 500 freestyle (4:58.91) and the 200 butterfly (2:06.96).

Last year's runner-up Bucknell will look to three-time All-League selection Darby Golino (Milford, Conn.) to score points. The senior collected the League's weekly honors twice this season, including the final week of the season. Golino was second in the 100 and 200 backstroke events a year ago.

The Bison also have a trio of junior all-stars back in the fold, including Daniela Faas (Ludwigshafen, Germany), Meghan Freese (New Freedom, Pa.) and Jennifer Cancro (Pearl River, N.Y.). Faas won the 1,650 freestyle at the 2002 championship, while Freese, who was the Nov. 26 Women's Swimmer of the Week, was the 50 free champion last year. Heading into this year's championship, Freese has the League's best time in the 50 freestyle (24.12) and the second quickest mark in the 100 free (52.63). Sophomore Jaime Flick (Bloomsburg, Pa.) also took home weekly honors Jan. 21.

Junior Jessica Lidstrom (Stockholm, Sweden) is the lone returning all-star for American, last year's third-place team. Lidstrom, who collected Women's Swimmer of the Week accolades Nov. 12, recorded victories in the 100 and 200 freestyle events at last year's championship. The junior has the League's fastest time in the 100 freestyle during the 2003 campaign (52.61).

American will look to score points in the relay events. At last year's championship, the Eagles turned in gold-medal times in two team events and were the runner-up in the other three relays.

Lehigh is led by 2002 all-star Amanda Warrick (Wayne, Pa.) and freshman Linda Hendrixson (West Chester, Pa.). Warwick participated in the 1,650 and 500 freestyle events and the 400 individual medley a year ago, earning a spot in the Top 5 in all three races. Hendrixson has qualified for the 200 and 400 individual medley, 1,650 freestyle and the 200 breaststroke.

Colgate has two returning All-League performers in junior Alice Garnett (Wilmette, Ill.) and sophomore Meghan Binder (Sudbury, Mass.). Garnett garnered all-star accolades for the second time in her career after capturing silver medals in the 200 and 400 individual medley, while Binder touched the wall third in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke at the 2002 championship.

Army will expect solid performances from two-time All-League performer Garrett Shannon (Ft. Myers, Fla.), sophomore Shannon Kelley (Windsor, Conn.) and rookie diver Chelsea Haviland (Thief River, Minn.). Shannon was second in the 200 butterfly a year ago, while Kelley claimed Women's Swimmer of the Week honors Jan. 28. In her first season at West Point, Haviland picked up the League's Women's Diver of the Week award seven times and was the ECAC Diver of the Week three times. Haviland swept the diving events in nine of the Academy's meets this year.

Headlining the list of Holy Cross participants is diver Carolyn Pucko (Webster, N.Y.). The junior won the League's weekly honors three times and was the ECAC Diver of the Week twice.

Senior Brenda Thayer (Wilmington, Del.) is expected to be one of Lafayette's top point scorers at the championship. She is in the Top 10 in the League in the 200 and 400 individual medley events, as well as the 200 backstroke.