W. Swim falls without divers

The waters of the Ivy League have been anything but smooth for the Penn women's swimming team. The team lost its sixth consecutive Ivy League contest Saturday to Brown, 139-78, after putting up another gallant effort. The Quakers (2-6 overall, 0-6 Ivy League), at a disadvantage because they are competing without a diving team for the remainder of the season, decided to plot a new course and place some of their swimmers into unfamiliar events. However, the Bears (3-6, 3-2) were merciless as they played their regular lineup against the depleted Penn squad. The Quaker coaches lauded Penn's effort, attitude and the results considering the obstacles the Quakers had to swim against without the divers. "They were tough and tried to compete," Penn coach Kathy Lawlor-Gilbert said. "This meet was a real test of their mettle." "They swam very well," assistant coach Mike Schnur said. "The women had some excellent performances." Sophomore Kerry Bolstad and freshman Gillian Morris sparkled for the Quakers. Both swimmers had already qualified for the season-ending Easterns, but in Saturday's meet the pair qualified in new events. Bolstad qualified in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:44. Morris qualified in the 1,000-yard freestyle in 10:49. Penn has been focusing on the Easterns throughout the entire season and especially after the elimination of the diving team. The loss of the diving team has lessened the emphasis on winning dual meets and has put in high gear the focus on long-term goals, especially the Easterns March 17-20. The Quakers have already qualified many swimmers for the Easterns this season. The Quakers had these thoughts in mind when they decided to try swimmers in different events Saturday in order to give them the opportunity to qualify in another event. "I think [the lineup change] was good for the team," senior Megan Staats said. "It gave us a chance to try to make the cut in events that you normally don't get to do." Morris, who usually swims the butterfly, was able to take advantage of the lineup change as she qualified for the 1,000-yard freestyle. Moreover, the change of the lineup was greeted well by the team in part because it broke up the monotony of swimming the same events in every meet. The coaching staff felt the team performed well swimming in new terrains. "[The lineup change] was a nice break for the team," Schnur said. "They responded very well and did nicely." The changes were also applauded by the team. The Quakers welcomed the mix up, especially in light of the recent obstacles created due to the lack of a diving team. "Everyone needed a break from normal events," sophomore Beamer said. "It refreshes you mentally and physically." The team came together in outstanding fashion during the 800-yard freestyle in which Penn placed first in 8:00. However, for much of the meet, Brown was too tough, too deep and too skilled for the depleted Quakers. "Brown has a lot of good swimmers -- a lot of strong events," Lawlor-Gilbert said. "That's the competition they're going to get at the Easterns." And as long the Quakers continue to compete without a diving team, the waters of the Ivy League may continue too be to much for Penn to handle.