Princeton University Athletics
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Women's Swimming/Diving Heads To Boston For Challenging HYP Weekend
January 29, 2009 | Women's Swimming and Diving
The undefeated Princeton and Harvard women's swimming and diving teams will collide this weekend at Blodgett Pool for the annual HYP competition. While both teams are ranked outside the Top 25, a victory this weekend could impress the voters enough to move that team into the national elite.
Princeton is the three-time defending Ivy League champion and has won eight of the last nine league titles, but it is well aware of the daunting challenge ahead. Not only will the Tigers be competing in Harvard's home pool, but they will do so against a Crimson squad that has posted some of the league's top times already this year.
We're excited to have an opportunity to race this weekend and next against Columbia," head coach Susan Teeter said. "Ivy Championships are four weeks away, and that's our focus. This great rivalry always gives us a chance to tune up our races before our championship. Harvard and Yale are both great competitors, so we're excited for the challenge."
Princeton has an edge in top times in the Ivy League this year, although four have come from junior All-America standout Alicia Aemisegger. The 2008 Olympic Trials finalist has posted the Ivy top time in the 200 free (1:45.42), the 500 (4:39.55), the 200 fly (1:55.85) and the 400 IM (4:06.48). Aemisegger is a six-time Ivy League champion who has never been beaten in an individual collegiate race outside of the NCAA championships. Classmate Courtney Kilkuts is also off to a strong start, with league-best times in the 200 breast (2:15.88) and the 200 IM (2:00.30); Kilkuts is the reigning Ivy League champion in the 200 IM, as well as the 100 breast.
Sophomore Megan Waters also has a top time by going 22.83 in the 50. There are also a handful of young swimmers who head into their first HYP meet with strong times in a handful of events, including Jillian Altenburger (200 free, 200/400 IM), Aislinn Smalling (1650 free), Kerry Gruendel (200 breast/200 IM) and Caitlin Baran (100/200 breast).
On the other side, Harvard has Ivy League top times in several events, including the 100 free (Katherine Pickard, 49.89), the 1650 (Alexandra Clarke, 16:35.03), the 200 back (Jordan Diekema, 1:45.97) and the 100 fly (Kate Mills, 55.04). Pickard and Mills were both All-Ivy in indidivual events last year, while sophomore Katy Hinkle was the Ivy League champion in the 50 free. Both Pickard and Mills have strong times in the mid- and distance free events.
Relays and diving will play a major role in the meet. Princeton did a strong job in relays during the 2008 HYP win, although Harvard might have bridged the gap in the medley relays this year, since the Crimson has faster times in both the 100 back and 100 fly. As for diving, Teeter has an experienced crew, led by 2007 1- and 3-meter Ivy League champion Katie Giarra, who leads her senior classmates into their final HYP weekend.
The meet will begin with a first session Friday at 6 and will conclude Saturday at noon. With both Harvard and Princeton so close, it is very possible the team winner won't be decided until the final events of the second session.