Washington and Lee University
The Washington and Lee women’s swimming team has been picked to add to its 18 ODAC-titles as it sits atop the ODAC Preseason Swimming Poll.
The Generals received 60 points from the league’s eight coaches, while Randolph-Macon logged 54. Sweet Briar (50), Randolph (30) and Guilford (29) round out the top five.
W&L welcomes back seven All-ODAC swimmers from last season’s team, including senior Lindsey Strachan (Midlothian, Va./Governor's School), the reigning ODAC Swimmer of the Year, and sophomore Tess Hayden (Winnetka, Ill./New Trier), last season’s Rookie of the Year. Strachan was a four-time winner at the ODAC Meet last season (100 back, 200 back, 200 and 400 medley relays), while Hayden won the 200 and 1,650-yard freestyle events, as well as participating on the winning 800 and 200-yard free relays.
Other all-conference honorees returning for the Generals include seniors Susan Mahoney (Richmond, Va./St. Catherine’s) and Julianne Miata (Valhalla, N.Y./Westlake), juniors Sarah Simpson (Charlotte, N.C./South Mecklenburg) and Jenna Worsham (Cumming, Ga./Wesleyan School) and sophomore Jackie Smith (Southhampton, Pa./Archbishop Wood).
W&L’s season kicks off on Saturday when its hosts Mary Washington at 2:00 pm.
2008-09 ODAC Swimming Preseason Poll
1. Washington and Lee (60 points)
2. Randolph-Macon (54)
3. Sweet Briar (50)
4. Randolph (30)
5. Guilford (29)
6. Bridgewater (28)
7. Hollins (21)
8. Emory & Henry (16)
--Generals--
