NEW PALTZ, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz women’s swim team has been ranked No. 16 among the nation’s Division III programs, the highest ranking in the history of the program. The Hawks sent four swimmers to Nationals in Houston, Texas and finished the weekend with 63 points, one national champion, and four All-Americans. New Paltz finished behind Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Whitworth College who finished tied for 14th with a total of 69 points.
The 16th place finish was a large improvement from 2006, when SUNY New Paltz finished with 28 points and a ranking of 27th. Head Coach Brian Williams stated, “To break into the top 20 is a big accomplishment and places the program in a new National light. Hopefully we will continue to grow and do even more in the next year or so. But the progression from last year to this year is the one we have been working on for years.”
Michelle Coombs became the first female SUNY New Paltz national champion as she claimed the 100 freestyle with a time of 50.84. She touched second in the 100 backstroke (56.59) and third in the 50 free (23.46). “Having a National Champion is an unbelievable feeling. To watch Michelle accomplish her goals and then some can not be described. I am so happy for her. She is an amazing young woman who has worked so hard to accomplish all she has. The feeling is intensified because she is such a great person all around,” said Coach Williams.
SUNY New Paltz hit a major landmark in sending the first women’s relay team to nationals. Coombs teamed up with Laura Lipp, Erica Ellis and Ashley Williamson for the 200 and 400 medley relay and the 200 and 400 free relay. Coach Williams said, “Sending a relay is a major breakthrough for the program and shows that we are committed to the team aspect of the sport. I love relays and the idea of what it takes as teammates to be a successful relay. Swimming is always talked about as being an individual sport but I have never looked at it that way and relays are prime example of teamwork in swimming, it takes four people working together to make it happen.”
“I hope that the success the team has had this year carries over to next year. I hope all the returning swimmers and the incoming swimmers commit to taking the program even further than we have this year. The team goals should always be to build upon the good things that happened the previous year.”
For complete team rankings, click here.
