Tigers End Lions Streak, Provide Championship Tuneup

Riding a seven-match winning streak, the Columbia women’s swimming and diving team arrived at Princeton with a focus on preparing for the Ivy League Championship. Although the Lions lost the meet and snapped their streak, it appears that they achieved their overall goal.

They were able to get in some good swims and dives, gaining valuable experience for the Ivies.

Columbia went into Princeton with an understanding of what they would be going up against. The Tigers, who are finished with dual meets for the season, had several swimmers who were ending their season against the Lions.

“Princeton had 10 swimmers rested and shaved and finishing their seasons,” head coach Diana Caskey said. “Coupled with their very talented squad, it was simply too much for us to overcome.” For most teams, a tough loss would make it hard to bounce back. However, the tough Tigers team did not prevent the Lions from swimming hard in their events and competing as they usually do.

“Much as it is not fun to lose, the Columbia team did a good job of keeping spirit high and going after races,” Caskey said. Since the Lions were not shooting for the win and were aiming more for valuable experience, they were able to make some changes to their lineup.

“We swam really well even though lots of swimmers were in non-traditional events,” said Caskey. In addition to the Light Blue swimmers making some changes in their events, the divers, too, were able to try some new dives.

“Joanna [Corby] was able to complete a new dive with a very high degree of difficulty that she had no previously performed in competition,” Caskey said. “That is big heading into Ivies at the same venue.” Junior Shannon Hosey had a similarly successful meet, as both she and Corby were strong off the boards.

Although the Lions lost, they still have an opportunity to end the season with the best record the program has ever seen. There are also several swimmers who have the chance to break some Uris Pool records. But the Lions, as always, have their minds set on the championship meet at the end of the year.

“We came away relatively unscathed from the loss and ready to fire it up at Princeton, Feb. 28, 29, and March 1,” Caskey said. “We’ll see how high we can finish at Ivy Championships. “