The Bates men's and women's swimming and diving teams each placed sixth at the inaugural New England Small College Athletic Conference championships. The women's team (7-2), was led by its outstanding sophomore class. Megan Ferrari '03 won a pair of NESCAC titles in the 50 and 100-yard breaststroke events. She earned her first trip to the NCAA championships in 2001, while classmate Jill Kopicki '03, who holds two Bates record in the IM, hopes to make a return trip after reaching nationals in 2000.

The men's team (6-3) returns a pair of All-NESCAC performers in 2001. Sophomore Adam Bowden '03 surprised the crowd by taking third in the 50-yard butterfly, setting school records in the 50 and 100 at the championship meet. Diver Andrew Hastings '02 continued his impressive career with a second-place finish at NESCACs in the one-meter and third in the three-meters. He followed up his umprecedented success with two top-16 finishes at the NCAAs, taking home his fifth and sixth career All-America honors, more than any other athlete in Bates history.

Bates swims in the Carolyn E. Tarbell pool in Merrill Gymnasium. The pool's eight lanes can be extended beyond 25-yards, and the facility boasts two one-meter boards, one three-meter board, a trampoline, underwater viewing windows, Colorado timing, ample deck space and seating for 250 spectators. The most recent addition to Tarbell Pool is a state-of-the-art scoreboard system capable of displaying names, lanes and times for all competitors. The Davis Fitness center, located adjacent to the pool, is one of the finest weightlifting facilities among Division III schools.

Training begins with a dedication to the program and a personal commitment to successfully balancing academics, athletics and other interests. We encourage year-round involvement in training. Weight training, dry-land training and swimming are integral parts of the total program. On-campus training can be categorized into five phases: individual preparation, aerobic development, mixed training, speed and recovery. The coaching staff supports dual-sport participation for interested student-athletes. We consider this experience to be beneficial to both the individual and the College. In September and October, those students who are not involved in a fall sport begin optional conditioning workouts led by team captains. The official first day of practice is Nov. 1, which is highlighted by the Bobcat 1,550. Competition begins in late November and culminates with the NCAA Championships in March. The teams enjoy a training trip to warmer weather during second-semester break.

The coaching staff is dedicated to providing an opportunity for each student-athlete to pursue excellence in the classroom and in the pool. Head Coach Dana Mulholland (dmulholl@bates.edu), New England Women's Division III Coach of the Year in 1991 and 2000, has been leading the program since 1988. He has served as president and vice president of the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association and is active on numerous regional and national committees. He served five years as chairman of the College Swimming Coaches of America All-Academic Committee. Mulholland has directed the very successful Bates Swim Camp since 1992. Before coming to Bates, coach Mulholland enjoyed a lengthy tenure as a successful high school and age-group coach.

Eight-year assistant coach David Bright also serves as assistant director of the Bates swim camp. Dave has several years experience as a high school coach, including his current tenure as head coach of the Lewiston High School boys' and girls' swim teams.

Kerry Lathrop is in her second year as an assistant. Kerry is one of the top backstrokers in University of Toledo history.

Mike Bartley, an Olympic Trials diver in 1964 and long time high school coach, has successfully directed the diving program since 1991. The 1999 New England and 2001 NESCAC diving coach of the year, Mike has developed several top divers at Bates, including a four-time All-American.

	©2001 Bates College. All Rights Reserved. Last modified: 6/22/01 by asl