Tigers send off seniors

As the women's swimming and diving meet against Columbia came to a close Saturday, there were just two swimmers in the pool. Senior Nicole Somers had challenged her friend, classmate and fellow freestyler Amy Jones, to a 100-meter breaststroke race, all in fun. With teammates and fans looking on, Somers won her last race as a Tiger in an event she had never swum before in her entire collegiate career.

As a fitting honor to those seniors competing for the final time, the men's and women's teams each posted two wins this weekend at DeNunzio Pool. The women had fun, switching up their events and beating Kenyon, 168-126, and Columbia, 115-98, in the process. The men faced stiffer competition but still managed to win the necessary events to secure victories against Kenyon, 172-122, and Navy, 167-133.

The farewell celebrations began before the first meet and continued throughout the weekend, as the juniors prepared presentations for each of the four seniors — Somers, Jones, Stephanie Hsiao, and diver Maggie Littlefield. The team also decorated the locker room and deck with signs extolling the seniors' contributions and with spirited balloons.

"It's a celebration of their four years and the last time the whole team is on the deck together," junior Sarah Schaffer said.

After they had received flowers and posed for pictures, Stephanie and Jones had a little fun and tossed Somers back into the pool, a place where she has spent the majority of her Princeton career.

"It hasn't hit me yet; I feel like I was a freshman yesterday," Somers said. "It's kind of surreal. I can't believe it's over."

This weekend was the "last hurrah" for more than half of the women's team. For those who won't race at the Ivy championship, it was the last chance to improve their personal records. As a captain, Somers will continue to attend practices and motivate her teammates while they train for the Ivy meet, though she will not compete herself.

"It was such an honor to be a captain this year," Somers said. "I've loved being on the team; it can't compare to anything."

The Tigers began the weekend on a good note against a Kenyon squad that has won 20 of the last 21 Division III National championships. Later, amid the festivities, Princeton chalked up victories against Columbia as junior Jessica Case won the 200 freestyle, sophomore Sobenna George took the 50 free, junior Aly Spencer captured the 100 free and Schaffer won the 100 backstroke.

The senior men celebrated in similar fashion in their final home meet against Kenyon. According to tradition, each of the 16 seniors was honored with a short speech. After they had all lined up for a picture, they dove into the water with their clothes on to swim a final lap together in a moment that senior Justin Chiles called "bittersweet."

"The interesting thing is that we've gained guys who joined after their freshman year," Chiles said of his 15 fellow seniors. "It's a testament to the program and Coach Orr, who provides the latitude to both swim and go to school."

On Saturday, the men traveled to Annapolis to face Navy. Seven swimmers won individual events, as the team fought to pull out the win against the Midshipmen.

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"I did what I needed to do to help the team," said Chiles, who won both the 200 and 400 free and anchored the final relay of the meet to capture the victory.

Chiles and his fellow seniors will lead the men's team in their final Ivy League dual meet next weekend against Columbia.