Jan. 26, 2008
Williamsburg, Va. - Three-time defending U.S. Collegiate champion Stanford opened its 2008 campaign by winning the William & Mary Invitational in dominating fashion on Saturday. The Cardinal finished with 102 points to easily outdistance second place Incarnate Word (87) and was victorious in all five areas of the competition. Richmond and George Mason tied for third with 61.5 points each, while William & Mary (59.3), Mary Washington (53) and Pennsylvania (40) rounded out the team scoring.
All-Americans Sara Lowe and Courtenay Stewart led the Cardinal by winning three events each.
"The first meet of the year is always a tough test of our new routines for the season," said head coach Heather Olson. "William & Mary ran a great meet and our team had solid swims despite the shallow pool. We have a lot of work to do in the next few weeks but this weekend was a good start."
"There is always extra pressure at the first competition of the year, but the team did an awesome job and really stepped up to the plate," added Stewart. "Our goal was to impress the judges and other coaches and athletes; we want them to be talking about Stanford now, so when we arrive at collegiate nationals, we are already on our way to the four-peat."
Lowe was victorious in the solo, duet and trio. Stewart joined Lowe in both the duet and trio victories, while also taking the elements competition.
"Our team started the season off today with a bang, sweeping the meet and finishing one and two in each event," offered Lowe. "Each routine performed well with a lot of energy, showing their strong desire to repeat last year's undefeated season."
Melissa Knight picked up a victory by swimming with Lowe and Stewart in the trio, while Corinne Smith took the B figures in her first collegiate meet.
Stanford wrapped up the meet with an impressive victory by its technical team of Poppy Carlig, Knight, Debbie Chen, Stewart, Taylor Durand, Erin Bell, Smith and Michelle Moore.
Stanford returns to action Sunday at the Mary Washington Invitational (11 am, ET).
FINAL TEAM SCORES
Stanford 102, Incarnate Word 87, Richmond 61.5, George Mason 61.5, William & Mary 59.3, Mary Washington 53, Pennsylvania 40
STANFORD ONLY
Pl Name Points
Elements
1 Courtenay Stewart 82.161
2 Sara Lowe 80.973
3 Poppy Carlig 79.620
5 Erin Bell 79.076
6 Melissa Knight 78.538
7 Debbie Chen 78.391
8 Taylor Durand 77.255
12 Gail Lee 76.318
B Figures
1 Corinne Smith 72.034
3. Christy Park 69.814
4 Allison Coates 69.739
5 Michelle Moore 69.189
Trio
1 Knight/Stewart/Lowe 91.667
2 Carlig/Durand/Bell 89.333
Duet
1 Sara Lowe/Courtenay Stewart 92.883
2 Poppy Carlig/Melissa Knight 90.677
3 Debbie Chen/Taylor Durand 90.500
Solo
1 Sara Lowe 93.333
Team
1 Poppy Carlig, Melissa Knight, Debbie Chen, Courtenay Stewart, Taylor Durand, Erin Bell, Corinne Smith, Michelle Moore