1996-97 was another banner season for the Mary Washington College women's swim team. For the 17th consecutive season, the Eagles finished with a winning record, ending with one of its most successful seasons ever (8-1 record, CAC Champions for the seventh straight year). In addition to the team's success, Mary Washington had several individuals qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championships, with rising sophomore Mariah Butler (Zanesville, OH) earning two All-American performances (200 butterfly and 400 individual medley) and rising senior Megan Reese (Virginia Beach, VA) overcoming major shoulder surgery to take All-American status in the 400 IM as well.
Two-time Capital Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Matt Kinney will field a talented, veteran squad this winter, as he loses just three seniors from the 1996- 97 squad: distance swimmer Emily Williams, freestyler Cynthia Owen, and breaststroke specialist Ginger Newnam. Kinney does welcome back the 1996-97 CAC Swimmer of the Year and Rookie of the Year in Butler, as well as a talented rising senior class. Included in that class are all-CAC performers Reese, freestyler Jessica Green (Dahlgren, VA), distance specialist Stephanie McKnight (Phoenixville, PA), Cindy Davis (McLean, VA) in the backstroke, as well as Melissa Timberlake (Richmond, VA) in the freestyle and butterfly and Liz Bean (Falmouth, ME) in distance events.
Many outstanding performances highlighted the 96- 97 CAC Championships, which were once again held at MWC's Goolrick Pool. In addition to Butler's three individual first-place finishes, Owen, Reese, and rising sophomore Kim Myers (Cockeysville, MD) topped the swimmer high-point list with multiple finals victories. The Eagles cruised to their seventh title in as many years, as they easily outdistanced second-place Catholic University, 638-521.
The Eagle women also won the highly competitive Franklin and Marshall College Invitational, defeated Catholic in an impressive 124-81 dual meet victory, and swam past perennial power Gettysburg College, 110-95. The only blemish on an otherwise perfect team sea son was a loss to Division I University of Richmond. "This season promises to be a continuation of the success MWC has had in the past," says Coach Kinney. "At the same time, we are looking forward to new goals and accomplishments with the strong returning squad and solid first-year class."