Oct. 19, 2011

LIKE! Maryland Athletics on Facebook

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A great blend of fresh faces will be mixed with some very good returning talent as the Maryland women's swimming and diving team takes to the pool for the 2011-12 season.

RETURNERS

Two-time NCAA Championships qualifiers Ginny Glover and Megan Lafferty lead a strong group of returners for the Terps this season.

After winning the 100 fly and setting a championship record at the ACCs, Lafferty went on to rack up an ACC record in the event at the NCAA Championships. The junior, who joined Glover and departed seniors Annie Fittin and Blair Cross as All-Americans in the 200 free relay, also took second and third, respectively, in the 50 and 100 free at her second conference championships.

Glover joined Lafferty as part of four podium-bound relays at the ACCs, all four of which also set school records. Glover, who along with senior Erin Stout will serve as captains this season, also took third in the 100 back and fourth in the 200 free.

Other swimmers to garner points with top-eight showings at last year's ACCs include Jennifer Roberts (200 fly), Addison Koelle (100 and 200 fly) and Alexa Hamilton (100 and 200 breast).

Freshmen Victoria Cassidy also had a stellar first season in College Park, scoring top-five marks for the Terps in the 500, 1000 and 1650 free as well as the 400 IM.

Seniors Martha VanLieshout, Ashley Cox and Meggie Schmidt also return and will look to earn points for Maryland in the IM, breaststroke, and fly, respectively.

Other returners head coach Sean Schimmel hopes to rely on include Haley Bull, Elena Donald, Chelsey Eberwein, Amy Halligan, Katie Hughes, and Holly Rebovich.

NEWCOMERS

Seven newcomers will hit the pool deck this season, including Melanie Busch, Kelly Carroll, Kacie Ciampoli, Carolyn Fittin, Laura Flewelling, Julia Kudryashova, and Megan Zarriello.

Schimmel is always seeking speed and a good portion of this group seems to have a knack for just that.

"We have three sprinters, with Carolyn, Melanie and Julia, that not only have great freestyle speed, but Carolyn has a great fly and Mel will be rounding out the back and IMs," Schimmel said. "These three are really going to help our already strong relays and sprinters."

Schimmel also likes the depth that the class brings to the mid-distance and distance group.

"Kacie and Megan will give us some much needed strength in the 500, 1000 and 1650, as well as the 400 IM," Schimmel said. "This is an area that we have had some holes in our lineup and Kacie and Megan will fill those roles nicely.

Carroll and Flewelling will also compete for the Terps, specializing in the breaststroke and IMs.

"Kelly and Laura are both being very strong breaststrokers and IM'ers and will really add some depth to our breaststroke group," Schimmel said.

DIVERS

The women's diving unit has new leadership this year as Tom Davidson takes over the program after the departure of Anton Slobonouv last summer. Davidson, who helped guide University of California-Berkley to a national championship in 2009, inherits a group of three experienced divers.

Kurbatova missed all of last season but returns as Maryland's top threat on the boards after landing on the podium with a third-place finish in the 1-meter at the 2009 ACC Championships. She is joined by junior Kara Koszowski and sophomore Jessica Whelan.

The Terps' talented group of divers will look to push for points to aid Maryland to a coveted top-three finish at the 2012 ACC Championships in Blacksburg, Va.