The numbers keep rolling along. A 16th straight winning dual-meet season (8-2). A sixth consecutive Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) title. Eight NCAA provisional qualifiers. Six NCAA All-Americans.

CAC Coach of the Year Matt Kinney isn't one to rest on past laurels, however. MWC graduated five All­ CAC swimmers: Nine-time All-American Sarah King (Lancaster, PA; CAC champion in 100 and 200 back), 1996 CAC Swimmer of the Year and All-American Eliza Barcus (Reston, VA; CAC champion in 500 and 1,650 free), All-American Liz Darcy (Brightwaters, NY; CAC champion in 200 free), All-American Gretchen Hurley (Loudonville, NY; CAC champion in 100 and 200 breaststroke) and Nancy McClain (New Fairfield, CT).

The return of individual All­ American (1995) Megan Reese (Jr./Virginia Beach, VA), who missed the '95-96 campaign with a shoulder injury, should bolster the team. Reese earned CAC Swimmer of the Year honors in '95 after capturing two individual medley titles. Reese then finished 11th and fifth, respectively, in those two events to earn All-American honors at nationals. Returning 1996 All-Americans are: Jessica Green, a sprint freestyler (So./ King George, VA) who swam anchor on four CAC­ champion relays in '96 and distance freestyler Emily Williams (Sr./Afton, VA). Other All-CAC returnees include breaststroke specialist Ginger Newnam (Sr./ Danville, VA) and freestylers Stephanie McKnight (Jr./Clifton, VA), Jessica Rhodes (So./Wyomissing, PA), Caroline Stender (So./Fanwood, NJ) and Carson Wasserman (So./Cincinnati, OH).

In '95-96, MWC lost to only Division III power Gettysburg and Division I Richmond. According to Kinney, a strong schedule will help prepare the Eagles for a run to national prominence.

"With the strong core of returning swimmers, plus a potentially superior recruiting class, next year promises to be one of the best in MWC's successful history," said Kinney. "We are focusing on improving our Top-20 NCAA finish from last year."