The Week That Was: Diving Into Conference Season

Photo Courtesy: Allen Rich

This week saw the first major conference meets among NCAA Division II and Division III teams as well as some follow-up on previously reported allegations in the swimming community. Take a look below to read about the fast times that were posted in The Week That Was!

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The Week That Was #5 – Germantown Academy Sued By Former Swimmer

Photo Courtesy: Cathleen Pruden

A former swimmer has sued Germantown Academy for “tolerating physical and mental abuse suffered” under former coach Richard Shoulberg when he was still in charge of the program. The swimmer, who has chosen to remain anonymous, filed a civil suit the previous week seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

The suit claims that the school “allowed Shoulberg to continue coaching despite the many verified claims of abuse [by athletes] that occurred during his tenure.” In a statement addressing the lawsuit, Germantown Academy said “These allegations were investigated and addressed by Germantown Academy as soon as they came to the attention of the administration. We will continue to cooperate openly and fully moving forward.”

Richard Shoulberg, who retired from Germantown Academy under mystery and controversy last year, has released no comment despite allegations that he “created a competitive and adversarial relationship between Doe and another swimmer.” Shoulberg is not named the defendant in the case. Swimming World will continue to update the story as it continues to develop.

The Week That Was #4 – Maureen Mead To Receive Three Years Probation In Plea Deal

competitor-lane-lines-usa-swimming-nationals-2014-2

Photo Courtesy: Competitor

In a story that has been developing since October, former Towson University head diving coach Maureen Mead was sentenced to three years of probation this week. This is following felony charges related to a recording device that was found in the varsity locker room in apparent attempts to spy on the athletes.

During the proceedings Mead admitted that she set up a cell phone to record the conversations of diving members following practices. She also attempted to apologize to the team. This has been an ongoing investigation through much of this season. Maureen’s husband, Pat Mead, resigned from the head coaching position at Towson University back in December after Maureen was removed from her position. Entering into the new year, the Towson squad had an all new coaching staff led by first year assistant Jake Shrum.

Swimming World will continue to update this story as it develops, as the Meads will still be hearing from USA Swimming regarding their chances of ever being allowed on a pool deck in the future.

The Week That Was #3 – Queens Dominates Bluegrass Conference Meet

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Queens University dominated this past week’s Bluegrass Conference Meet, which saw some of the best teams from Division II and Division III meet in Rock Hill, SC. A standout among the Queens squad was Patricia Castro Ortega, who had an incredible meet where she set six NCAA Division II records. She started on her record streak on the first night as a part of two record setting relays while also leading off the 800 free relay with a new DII record in the 200 freestyle (1:44.44). On the second night, Castro Ortega claimed marks in the 500 freestyle (4:40.65) and as part of the 400 medley relay, splitting 53.49 on the fly leg. She concluded her meet with an NCAA record in the 400 IM (4:09.93) and a meet record in the 100 freestyle (49.13).

The only other Division II record from the meet belonged to Queens’ Dion Dressens in the 200 freestyle (1:34.20), who beat the previous record by .01 of a second. All in all, Queens University swimmers set eight NCAA Division II records throughout the course of the meet en route to winning the championships with a total 1634 points. To see all of the coverage from the Bluegrass Conference Meet, jump over to the Championship Page.

The Week That Was #2 – Carmel Girls Win 30th Straight High School State Title

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The Carmel Girls Swim program won their 30th straight high school state championship title this past week. That makes the Carmel swim program the longest state championship streak of any high school sport in any state in the country. Senior Claire Adams helped lead her team to the title en route to completing a perfect 16-16 record in IHSAA state championships races. Fellow senior Veronica Burchill had the lone state record on the day as she took out the 100 fly with a 51.79. That swim just missed Katie McLaughlin’s 51.53 national record as well as Beata Nelson’s 51.70 public school record.

There were only two non-Carmel swimmer to take a state titles. Those titles belonged to Hamilton Southeastern’s Robyn Clevenger, who won the 50 free in 22.91, and Yorktown’s Emily Weiss, who won the 100 breast at 1:02.20. Carmel finished the meet with a total of 438 points in a dominant win. Carmel’s point total was more than double Hamilton Southeastern’ second place total of 193.5 points while Chesterton was third with 193 points.

The Week That Was #1 – Division III Conferences Start With A Bang

Photo Courtesy: Allen Rich

Notably, this was the first major weekend of NCAA conference action, including rivals Kenyon and Denison competing in the first championship style meet of the spring. There was a lot of fast swimming in Division III this weekend that gave a preview of what to expect at NCAAs in just over a month.

The most notable DIII match-up was in the NCAC Championships, where rivals Denison University and Kenyon College battled it out. The meet was a split, with the Denison men winning the title win 1942.5 – 1,714.5, while the Kenyon women prevailed 1,957.5 – 1,787.5. This was the eighth consecutive conference title for the Big Red men, who will be looking to break Kenyon’s three-year stranglehold on the NCAA team title. Look for both teams to be significantly faster in March as they prepare to battle it out among the best teams in the country.

On the east coast, the NESCAC women’s conference saw Williams College finish over 700 points ahead of second place finisher Amherst to take their fifteenth straight conference title. Williams junior Megan Pierce was the star of the lady Ephs, taking home titles in the 400 IM (4:17.47), 1650 freestyle (16:41.90), and 200 butterfly (2:02.07). Notably, Amherst senior Emily Hyde set a new conference and NCAA record in the 200 breaststroke (2:12.22) and was just off Lindsay Payne’s NCAA record in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.99), setting herself up as the favorite in those events at NCAA’s in March.

Not to be left out, sophomore Tommy Thetford of Washington & Lee was on fire at the ODAC meet, posting fast times en route to wins in the 50 (19.70), 200 (1:37.70), and 100 freestyle (43.95). Thetford also put up an impressive 18.99 relay split on the back of W&L’s winning 200 free relay. Those 50 and 100 freestyle times place Thetford first in the nation among DIII swimmers while his 200 times put him second. Expect him to be a favorite heading into NCAA’s next month.

To see all of the action from conference meets this weekend, head over to Swimming World’s College News Homepage.

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