Rams Set to Compete at 2008 Atlantic 10 Swimming & Diving Championships

Feb. 20, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Massachusetts looks to defend its men's crown while Richmond vies for its Championship-record seventh straight women's title at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Championships, to be held Feb. 20-23 at the Flickinger Aquatics Center in Buffalo, N.Y.

Massachusetts claimed its sixth A-10 men's title in the past seven years after turning aside then defending champion St. Bonaventure, 733-510, at the 2007 Championship. The Minutemen have captured nine league Championships, the most of any program in the Conference. Joining UMass and St. Bonaventure in the quest for the title are Duquesne, Fordham, George Washington, La Salle, Rhode Island, Saint Louis and Xavier. The Rams are led by senior Ryan Sheatsley and freshman diver Logan Pearsall.

Richmond became the first women's swimming program to win six consecutive A-10 titles last season as it captured gold in eight individual events and al five relays en route to outdistancing runner-up Massachusetts, 737-453. The Spiders are led by junior Lauren Beaudreau (2007) and senior Jessica Witt (2006), who have each earned Most Outstanding Performer honors over the past two seasons, as well as sophomore Katie Sieben, who became the sixth consecutive UR swimmer to be tabbed the Championship's Most Outstanding Rookie. Fordham sophomore Caitlin Napoli, a four-time A-10 Performer of the Week selection this season, will look to build upon her performance at the 2007 Championship, where she placed first in the 200-yard freestyle and claimed silver medals in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard butterfly events, respectively.

Joining UMass in its attempt to end Richmond's six-year stranglehold on the league title are Duquesne, Fordham, George Washington, La Salle, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure, Saint Louis and Xavier. Rhody is paced by senior Caitlin Regan, juniors Kelsey Foy and Kelly Mohr, and freshman Lillian Falconer.

The championship commences at 4:30pm on Wednesday, Feb. 20, with the trials of the men's one-meter diving competition, followed by the finals of the men's and women's 200-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relays at 6:30pm, along with the finals of the men's one-meter diving competition. The Championship continues at 10:30am on Thursday with the time trials, followed by the finals at 6:30pm. The same schedule will be followed on Friday and Saturday.

The event will be video streamed live on the Atlantic 10 website and can be seen by clicking HERE. Fans can subscribe beginning Thursday, Feb. 21, for the cost of $9.95 per day or purchase a three-day subscription for $20.95. Wednesday's action will be offered to fans free of charge.