With a program-best third-place finish in the NESAC Championship meet, the Tufts women's swimming and diving team capped off the best statistical season in Jumbo history. En route to placing third out of 11 teams at this past weekend's event, the team claimed one individual conference title as well as five second-place finishes. The awards, though, continued to stream in even after the Tufts bus departed from Bowdoin.
In her 27th year with the program, coach Nancy Bigelow has been named the 2008-09 NESCAC Coach of the Year for leading the Jumbos to an 8-1 dual meet record. In addition to Bigelow's award, seven swimmers were recognized for their outstanding seasons. Receiving All-Conference honors for their efforts were freshmen Courtney Adams, Annie Doisneau, Valerie Eacret and Katie Russell, sophomore Megan Kono, junior Lindsay Gardel and senior tri-captain Katie Swett.
On their way to earning the slew of awards, the Jumbos also broke 11 school records at the NESCAC Championship. Most notably, Kono posted an NCAA A-cut time with a 17:11.91 in the 1,650-yard freestyle, extending her season by automatically qualifying her for the NCAA Championship meet. Gardel, who qualified for Nationals earlier in the year, will join Kono and possibly Swett, who is waiting to see if her time secures her a spot, at the NCAA meet next month. The program's best season ever may get even better yet.
