For four years, Brown women's swimming had dominated the pool at Ivies, with Princeton finishing second to the Bears for three of Brown's four consecutive championships.
Last year's Tigers, however, changed all that.
Fetching 794 points at the Ivy League championship, the Tigers capped an undefeated season by snatching the Ivy League title from Brown, ending its four-year reign.
This season, the Tigers' goal is simple: win another Ivy League championship and leave the Bears gasping for air — again.
"We're really fired up for the season," senior captain Kristen Szumera said.
Repeating at Ivies is well within their reach. Though Princeton lost 13 seniors from last year's team, it returns much of its point production. The team has also brought in a talented freshman class, with 12 fresh faces to help make up for the loss of those seniors.
"We definitely have a really strong freshman class," senior captain Schuyler Holmes said. "There are girls that are going to add all sorts of new dimensions. We are definitely looking to them to help bring back the title."
Standing in the way of their quest are Brown and Harvard.
"Both teams brought in really strong freshman classes," Holmes said.
Yet Princeton's own dynamic freshman class should serve to counter the Bears' and Crimson's strong recruiting efforts.
Different strokes
Because of the new freshman class and the loss of the seniors, this year's Tiger squad has a new look, with a different feel and distinct personality. In addition, Princeton has a slightly altered training program, making changes such as new test sets.
Yet none of these changes faze the Tigers.
"The freshmen have added a lot," Szumera said. "We haven't lost any of the talent or leadership."
Furthermore, the returning swimmers have added their own leadership to the pool.
"All the classes have really stepped up to lead this year," Szumera said. "We are a really cohesive group."
The Tigers gained further confidence in their upcoming season when they traveled to Florida during Fall Break with the men's team. The training schedule was rigorous, including two-hour practices — both in the morning and afternoon — and at least one hour of dry land workouts each day. The team emerged more closely knit, however, thanks in part to a two-hour team meeting in which the Tigers discussed goals and expectations for the season.
"It was a great bonding experience and tough training," Holmes said. "We came back to Princeton a lot stronger than we had left it."
Aiming high
If Florida helped bring the Tigers closer together, it is their daily support for one another that they hope will sustain this cohesiveness and help lead them to a repeat championship.
"Our support in the water is what binds us more than anything," Holmes said.
Princeton now sets its sights on its Ivy League foe — the Bears — whom they will meet Saturday at DeNunzio.
"I think Brown is going to be hungry," Szumera said. "But I think we are going to be hungrier."
Read More
Crimson goes down in crunch time: No. 18 Tigers women’s lacrosse defeats No. 25 Harvard in OT
Peter WangWith the win, the Tigers clinched the No. 2 seed in the Ivy League tournament and will play No. 3 seeded Penn in the semifinal. The No. 1 seeded Yale Bulldogs will host the annual four-team tournament.
With the win, the Tigers clinched the No. 2 seed in the Ivy League tournament and will play No. 3 seeded Penn in the semifinal. The No. 1 seeded Yale Bulldogs will host the annual four-team tournament.
Princeton to Paris: Hadley Husisian ’27 is off to the Olympic Games
Cole KellerÉpée fencer Hadley Husisian ’27 was introduced to the world of fencing after watching an iCarly episode during her childhood. Fast forward 16 years, Husisian will be on the U.S. Olympic team for the Paris 2024 games.
Épée fencer Hadley Husisian ’27 was introduced to the world of fencing after watching an iCarly episode during her childhood. Fast forward 16 years, Husisian will be on the U.S. Olympic team for the Paris 2024 games.
By the Numbers: Women’s tennis title and men’s golf awards in winning week
Harrison Blank and Andrew BosworthBy the Numbers: Women’s tennis title and men’s golf awards in a winning week. From baseball to lacrosse, we broke down individual excellence across Tiger athletics.
By the Numbers: Women’s tennis title and men’s golf awards in a winning week. From baseball to lacrosse, we broke down individual excellence across Tiger athletics.
