SWIMMING & DIVING

Coming off a highly-successful 2006-07 season, which culminated in the Cadets scoring in three different relays at the New England Championships for the first time in five years, the Norwich women's swimming and diving team is excited about what it can do for an encore this winter.

With a host of talented returning swimmers and divers back on campus, and several fresh faces joining the team, head coach Laura Dunn is looking forward to this season with optimism.

"If our veterans can perform to their ability level, and our freshmen can come in and contribute right away, I think the sky is the limit for this group," says Dunn. "Obviously, we have to stay healthy and continue to improve and grow as the season goes on in order for us to achieve the goals that we have set as a team."

This year's Norwich women's swimming and diving squad will be led by senior team captain Natalie Hamblin, who specializes in the back stroke. In addition to Hamblin, sophomore returnees Christine Doudell and Ashley Sanford figure to make even larger impacts this season as well as the team looks to make an even larger leap in the New England rankings this winter.

The freshmen class looks promising as first-year swimmers Anne Marie Vayda, Katie Edwards, Dana Wanjon and Jessica Martinez should all compete for time in the pool immediately. In addition to the talented swimmers brought in by Dunn, freshman diver Victoria Amador is another member of this year's recruiting class who will be in the mix right away off both boards.

Following Saturday's meet versus Colby-Sawyer, the Norwich women's swimming and diving team will remain at home, hosting three more home meets. The Cadets will host Potsdam (Nov. 3), Keene State (Nov. 10) and St. Michael's (Nov. 14).