Wednesday, February 19
Annapolis, Md.
Lehigh University
vs
Patriot League Championships
Veteran leadership looks to carry Lehigh at the Patriot League Championships
2/18/2020 3:34:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – It's finally here! All season long, the Lehigh women's swimming and diving team has been gearing up for this moment. The Mountain Hawks constructed their schedule based around the Patriot League Championships. All season long, the women have had their eyes set on this week. Let's get to it.
The Mountain Hawks will go into Annapolis this week having gone 6-1 in the dual meets. The Brown and White were tested early, however have since blown by the competition since being battle tested against West Chester in mid-October. Lehigh swam right by Lafayette with breeze, along with beating Loyola (Md.) and Boston University.
Lehigh got off to a 6-0 start, its best start since the 1998-99 season. Right before the PLC, the Mountain Hawks and the Bucknell Bison met in Lewisburg in what could be a PLC preview. The Bison shattered the Mountain Hawks' dream off a perfect season by defeating the Brown and White in a close contest, 166-132. Despite the loss, Lehigh is still confident and has its eyes set on this weekend.
"I do think there's a new respect now from other teams in the league. We have showed that we're the real deal. I don't know if we're completely there yet, we're still taking steps but we are closer than ever. We're close to putting fear in people and making them think twice when they're racing us." said head coach Rob Herb.
"The cool thing about this team is that they've continued to learn how to be more focused. We did super well all year, but the PLC is a different animal," expressed Herb. "The women understand that they need to make sure their executing their race. It's an all-out battle, really against yourself, not even the person next to you. Our team understands that if you don't get everyone into finals, you can't score enough points to be in the hunt."
One of the many reasons why this team has been successful this year has been because of the leadership. Seniors Tori Connolly, Payton Miles and juniors Ann Foley, Anna Francisco and Anna Thomas have been a big reason why this team has been successful. Not only do those women win races, but they also show true characteristics of being a leader.
"Our leaders definitely understand what needs to get done prior to actual racing. They understand what all goes in to preparing for a race, the mindset, the rest and the nutrition," Herb said. "They really set the example for the younger swimmers. This group is really special, we appreciate them very much."
Another big reason the Mountain Hawks have performed so well this season has been the talent of their first-year swimmers. Sarah Hardy, Megan Judge, Hannah Lord and Sophia Poeta have all been a key in Lehigh's depth.
Despite the success this year's team has had, the Mountain Hawks still feel like a bit of an underdog going into this week's PLC at the Naval Academy.
"This has been a really long season for us, but this group is extremely talented and works hard, stated Herb. "These kids to need to know that they can win. They need to let go, take the safety off and go for it. They've done everything I've asked of them and now it's time for the big show."
Last year at the Patriot League Championships, the women finished fourth with a total of 447 points. Ann Foley won the Patriot League title in the 50 free with a time of 22.94, her second PL championship. Foley then recorded a school record in the 200 free leadoff for the 800 free relay. Foley notched a time of 1:46.05. The 800 free relay team of Foley, Courtney Ferreira, Payton Miles and Samantha Gallego took silver with a time of 7:18.05.
Last year's PLC included more wins and titles for the Brown and White. Foley, Payton Miles, Olivia Giampietro and Courtney Ferreira took home the gold in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:19.59. It also included a record-breaker in the 400 medley relay, as Foley, Anna Francisco, Anna Thomas and Malia Wolf broke the school record at 3:44.89.
Events will begin Wednesday evening inside Lejeune Hall on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy. The 3-meter diving trials and finals, along with the 200 and 800 medley relay finals will take place.
The Mountain Hawks will go into Annapolis this week having gone 6-1 in the dual meets. The Brown and White were tested early, however have since blown by the competition since being battle tested against West Chester in mid-October. Lehigh swam right by Lafayette with breeze, along with beating Loyola (Md.) and Boston University.
Lehigh got off to a 6-0 start, its best start since the 1998-99 season. Right before the PLC, the Mountain Hawks and the Bucknell Bison met in Lewisburg in what could be a PLC preview. The Bison shattered the Mountain Hawks' dream off a perfect season by defeating the Brown and White in a close contest, 166-132. Despite the loss, Lehigh is still confident and has its eyes set on this weekend.
"I do think there's a new respect now from other teams in the league. We have showed that we're the real deal. I don't know if we're completely there yet, we're still taking steps but we are closer than ever. We're close to putting fear in people and making them think twice when they're racing us." said head coach Rob Herb.
"The cool thing about this team is that they've continued to learn how to be more focused. We did super well all year, but the PLC is a different animal," expressed Herb. "The women understand that they need to make sure their executing their race. It's an all-out battle, really against yourself, not even the person next to you. Our team understands that if you don't get everyone into finals, you can't score enough points to be in the hunt."
One of the many reasons why this team has been successful this year has been because of the leadership. Seniors Tori Connolly, Payton Miles and juniors Ann Foley, Anna Francisco and Anna Thomas have been a big reason why this team has been successful. Not only do those women win races, but they also show true characteristics of being a leader.
"Our leaders definitely understand what needs to get done prior to actual racing. They understand what all goes in to preparing for a race, the mindset, the rest and the nutrition," Herb said. "They really set the example for the younger swimmers. This group is really special, we appreciate them very much."
Another big reason the Mountain Hawks have performed so well this season has been the talent of their first-year swimmers. Sarah Hardy, Megan Judge, Hannah Lord and Sophia Poeta have all been a key in Lehigh's depth.
Despite the success this year's team has had, the Mountain Hawks still feel like a bit of an underdog going into this week's PLC at the Naval Academy.
"This has been a really long season for us, but this group is extremely talented and works hard, stated Herb. "These kids to need to know that they can win. They need to let go, take the safety off and go for it. They've done everything I've asked of them and now it's time for the big show."
Last year at the Patriot League Championships, the women finished fourth with a total of 447 points. Ann Foley won the Patriot League title in the 50 free with a time of 22.94, her second PL championship. Foley then recorded a school record in the 200 free leadoff for the 800 free relay. Foley notched a time of 1:46.05. The 800 free relay team of Foley, Courtney Ferreira, Payton Miles and Samantha Gallego took silver with a time of 7:18.05.
Last year's PLC included more wins and titles for the Brown and White. Foley, Payton Miles, Olivia Giampietro and Courtney Ferreira took home the gold in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:19.59. It also included a record-breaker in the 400 medley relay, as Foley, Anna Francisco, Anna Thomas and Malia Wolf broke the school record at 3:44.89.
Events will begin Wednesday evening inside Lejeune Hall on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy. The 3-meter diving trials and finals, along with the 200 and 800 medley relay finals will take place.
Players Mentioned
Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free/Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Back/Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Breast/Free/IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly/Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
FLY
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free/IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free/Back
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Back
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free/IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Fly/Free/IM
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