'Cliffe Swimmers Surprise in Easterns

The Radcliffe swim team performed stunningly in the Eastern Seaboard Swimming Championship this past weekend at the University of Pittsburgh, finishing 12th in a strong field of 30 participants.

A powerhouse Rutgers squad, coached by two Olympic medal winners, triumphed as Princeton captured second.

The cutoff times for all events has plunged drastically since last year's tournament. Qualification time in the 50 yard breaststroke a year ago was 36.7 seconds and within a year has fallen to a blazing 34.3.

Stellar

Sophomore Laurie Downey contributed a stellar performance as she set four new Radcliffe team and meet records. She took second in the 200 individual medley, with a time of 2:13.34 and the 200 backstroke (2:11.71).

Downey also nabbed third in both the 100 yard back (1:01.15) and 100 yard individual medley in 1:02.5. All times were her season's best and qualified her for the upcoming NCAA championships.

No other Radcliffe swimmers were entered into individual events but the aquawomen did compete in the relays. The 400 medley relay quarter of Downey, backstroke; Carol Moore, breaststroke; Sue Sawyer, fly; and Maureen Murphy, freestyle, which was originally seeded 24th, moved up to finish 15th, with its best time ever of 4:33.3. The 200 medley relay team of Downey, Moore, Sawyer and Sue Vassallo placed 20th (2:03.55).

Freshman aerialist Kathy Lindenthal turned in an impressive showing. placing eighth off both the one and three meter boards.

Considering the lightning fast times now predominant in women's collegiate swimming, the Radcliffe squad performed admirably both in the Easterns and throughout the entire season.

"We were very proud of the team's achievements this year and how far everyone has come in their events," said assistant coach Cindy Richards. "The squad has shown that it has enough enthusiasm, dedication, and ability to be a tough and successful competitor."