Tigers finish second at Ivies

For Princeton, the women's Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championship started and ended the same way — with a winning school-record relay anchored by senior co-captain Stephanie Hsiao. Over the course of the three-day meet, Hsiao had the Midas touch, claiming seven gold medals and setting three school records, earning her the meet's Most Outstanding Swimmer award.

Still, despite her efforts and strong showings from several teammates, Harvard proved too strong for the Tigers to overcome, as the Crimson stole the title and the trophy that had been Princeton's for the past five years by a 1,615-1,389 margin. The meet at DeNunzio Pool was dominated by the clash between Crimson and Orange and Black, as the next closest team, Brown, only accumulated 1,002.5 points. In placing second, the Tigers actually scored more points than they did when they won the meet last year.

"Of course, we hated losing," freshman Brett Shiflett said, "but we left the pool knowing we did everything we could this season, and we had so many amazing performances at the meet."

Senior Amy Jones and Hsiao said they barely noticed when Harvard pulled away and took control of the meet. They were too busy enjoying the moment, swimming fast and cheering their hearts out.

Princeton dominated the relays, losing just one in the course of the entire competition. In the first event of the championship, the 200-meter freestyle relay, Hsiao, Jones, junior Chrissy Macaulay and sophomore Sobenna George dominated the field and smashed the school record.

"There's nothing quite like stepping up on the blocks to swim a relay, because you have three other teammates who are counting on your performance," Hsiao said. "It's great, and I love being in that anchor position."

Later Thursday, Princeton placed second to Yale in the 400 medley relay, but that would be the last relay the Tigers lost. On Friday, Princeton won gold in the 200 medley relay and the 800 free relay.

Hsiao was an integral part of both wins and was especially impressive in the third leg of the 800 free relay, which the Tigers won by five seconds. When she dove into the pool Princeton had only a slight advantage, but her split, which would have been fast enough to win the individual 200 free by more than a second, opened up an insurmountable lead.

In the final event of the meet, Hsiao, Jones, George and freshman Lisa Hamming captured the 400 free relay and another school record.

"The relays are a big source of pride for Princeton," Jones said. "I think our success in the relays really speaks to our pride and team spirit because everyone wants to swim well when they are chosen to represent the team."

Hsiao won an individual event on each night, starting with the 200 individual medley, in which she led a Princeton sweep of the top three positions. After defending her 100 breaststroke title, she smashed her own school record in the 100 freestyle in a time that automatically qualified her for a berth in the NCAA meet.

"My hands-down favorite memory of this meet was taking 1-2-3 in the 200 IM with my teammates, Lisa Hamming and [sophomore] Kelly Hannigan," Hsiao said. "Kelly and Lisa are such amazing athletes, and I have complete faith that they will continue to lead our IM program."

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Jones, who swam to a third-place finish behind Hsiao in the 100 free, was pleased with her performance but also enjoyed the race for another reason.

"It was awesome swimming it with Steph Hsiao," Jones said. "She is one of the most talented swimmers I have ever met, and she never ceases to amaze me. She can do pretty much anything."

Hsiao and Jones will graduate this June, but the seniors were not the only contributors to the Tigers' success. Shiflett was an especially key contributor in her first Ivy League title meet. In addition to relay swims, she was first in the 200 free, second in the 500 free and fifth in the 200 fly.

"I considered the meet a success, and it was definitely a learning experience," Shiflett said. "Being an Ivy League champion as a freshman was really exciting and unexpected."

Hannigan also scored important points for Princeton, placing second in the 400 IM in a school-record time. She also took third in the 200 IM and third in the 200 back. Junior Libby Engelmeier was third in the 1,650 free and fourth in the 1,000 free, notching points in the distance events for the Tigers.