Lions Head to Ivy Championships in Princeton

The next three days will present the ultimate test of the season for the Columbia women's swimming and diving team as the Lions travel to Princeton, N.J. to compete in the Ivy League Championships.

In order to recapture the competitiveness that led the team to a surprising third place finish in last year's tournament, Columbia will need to get over last Friday's dual-meet, season-ending loss to reigning champion Princeton. The Lions lost to the Tigers 170.5-129.5 in that meet, with Columbia's individual divers and swimmers flopping in spite of high expectations. While the relay teams touched first in both the 200-yard medley and the 100-yard freestyle, Princeton dominated in the individual events, winning 11 of 17 overall.

Princeton has emerged in recent years as the elite team of the Ivy League, having captured six of the last seven championship titles. This year was no exception, as the Tigers finished the season undefeated against the Ivy League with only one nonconference loss in the season, to Michigan.

Head coach Diana Caskey is confident that the team will head to Princeton on Thursday invigorated by the hope for vengeance.

"We are very excited heading into our championship week," Caskey said. "We have not rested all season and are very excited to compete tapered and shaved. We have strong momentum from excellent dual meets since training trip. The outlook is good for fast swimming and challenging some teams that took it to us in the dual-meet season."

Caskey will be returning to her alma mater and familiar surroundings in Princeton for the tournament and hopes to build on the team's success from last year's championships. The Lions stunned the league in 2006 by winning the meet's final event in an upset in Harvard's Blodgett Pool. The relay team of Hannah Galey, Mary McCue, Kathryn Taylor, and Casey Weddle took first in the 400 free relay. All four swimmers have returned on this season's roster.

The team will depend on strong performances from certain younger members who have proven their abilities through the course of the season. Sophomore diver Shannon Hosey will need to revert to the form she exhibited when she qualified for NCAA Zone Diving Championships earlier in the season. Similarly, freshman Delghir Urubshurow, who has shown proficiency in the backstroke, freestyle, and individual medley, will need fast swims in each of those events for Columbia to remain competitive.

Caskey has been impressed by Urubshurow in her first season with the team. "We have asked her to swim a variety of races all season, which speaks to her amazing versatility," Caskey said. "I am excited to see her race rested at Ivies."

Columbia could find validation with a strong all-team effort in the next three days. The Lions are well-prepared and rested for this weekend's tournament, and ready to earn the right to ascend the victory podium.

Competition begins today at 11 a.m. at Princeton's DeNunzio Pool.