For Immediate Release: October 1, 2004
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

2004-05 Women's Swimming & Diving Preview

The Binghamton women's swimming & diving team heads into the 2004-05 season with a deeper and larger squad determined to move up the ranks of the America East Conference. After settling for fifth place at last season's America East Conference Championships, the potential is in place for a return to the top half of the conference this year.

"We have a big freshman class which has made our depth a lot stronger," head coach Patrice Back said. "Right now, the team is training at a level where their times will really improve this season."

Without question, the top returnee is senior Huijue Cai, who qualified for the NCAA Championships two years ago and captured the 2003 America East Conference titles in both the 100 free and 100 fly. In her final season, she is looking for a return trip to nationals.

"Huijue has stepped up as a leader in practice this year," Back said. "Her mind is set on going back to NCAAs."

Cai will be joined in both the sprint and fly events by junior Eden Payabyab, who qualified for the ECAC Championships last season in both the 100 fly and 100 freestyle.

"Eden has improved a lot since she has come here," Back said. "She is now in a position where she is leading the way for other swimmers."

A pair of freshmen, Margaret Cooper and Nicole Sweeney, will also swim in the butterfly events.

Both the IM and backstroke events will be led by junior Nicole Fulgieri and freshman Bridget Dormer. In the breaststroke events, freshman Tara Schneider and junior Christine Carroll are the top swimmers.

Sophomore Shelley Wax and senior Maureen Kirby are this year's top divers. Wax was a significant point scorer in last season's dual meets and should continue to place well this season.

"Shelly really came through in dual meets last season," Back said, "For us to move up at the conference meet this season, she has to have a good performance."

This year's team will also be led by its team captains-seniors Lauren Katz and Leila Karkia. Katz will compete in the fly and breaststroke events while Karkia will specialize in the breaststroke and freestyle events.

In the dual meet portion of the schedule, the key meets for the women's team will come against Drexel, Lafayette and Colgate. The America East Conference Championships, which will be hosted by defending champion UMBC, take place Feb. 18-20.