Undefeated Huskies look to win CAA Championship
The 2007-08 season kicked off with a razor-thin 151-149 victory over Boston College on Oct. 5 in which junior Elena Alvarez and senior Brittany Gilles dominated, delivering wins in the breaststroke and diving events, respectively. Gilles continued her prowess, taking the diving events for the second meet in a row in a 159-141 besting of Central Connecticut on Oct. 20. Northeastern's 165-135 win over Vermont on Oct. 27 marked the emergence of Kathrine Fugge, as she swept the short distance freestyle events for the first of five times this season.
The Huskies extended their unbeaten streak to 5-0 at a two-day pod meet against Old Dominion and Delaware from Nov. 2-3. Senior co-captain Kara Lane delivered wins in the butterfly events, while Gilles again won both diving events. Several Huskies had solid performances at the three-day Terrier Invitational from Nov. 16-18, led by Fugge's 74 points and earning a team total of 688 points.
Northeastern followed up its stellar showing at the Invitational with a 156-144 victory over Massachusetts on Dec. 1. Freshman Carolyn Marsh had a breakout day, taking the 100 backstroke and coming in second in the 200 backstroke, while Fugge, Sutliff and Alvarez once again captured multiple wins in their respective events. The team's 172-121 trouncing of James Madison on Jan. 5 was courtesy of a lead-off 200 medley relay team composed of junior Alexandra Doty, Alvarez, Lane and Fugge, who came up with her third sweep of the short distance freestyles.
A double dual meet against Boston University and New Hampshire on Jan. 19 proved to be the Huskies' greatest competition since the first meet of the season, as BU clawed at their heels in the 200 IM and 200 freestyle relay. Despite these late wins the Huskies were able to pull off a 154-145 victory over BU, while they had a more comfortable 175-124 win over UNH. The 50 freestyle belonged to Northeastern, as Fugge, sophomore Erica Smotrycz and freshman Sarah Martin finished in the first three spots, respectively.
Northeastern concluded its regular season on a high note with a 165.5-134.5 victory over Dartmouth on Feb. 9, earning the team a 10-0 (3-0 CAA) record. Fugge swept the short distance freestyle events for the fifth and final time of the season, while seniors Brooks Wallace and Kara Lane won each of their events in their final regular season meet with the Huskies. Wallace's score of 289.43 in the 3-meter was a personal record, beating out her previous record of 275.60 that was set in the previous meet against BU and UNH.
A few Huskies were recognized multiple times by the CAA for their outstanding achievements over the course of the season. Brittany Gilles was twice named CAA Diver of the Week for her efforts against BC in Northeastern's season opener and its win over UVM on Oct. 27. Kathrine Fugge was named CAA Swimmer of the Week following her sweep of the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles against UMass on Dec. 1. Kara Lane was also honored as Swimmer of the Week for her wins in the butterfly events against BU and UNH on Jan. 19.
Northeastern saw three of its school records fall this season, all of which took place at the Terrier Invitational hosted by BU. At the Invitational, sophomore Emily Sutliff broke two school records in the 1650 freestyle. Her first-place time of 17:13.77 broke a nine-year record held by Jenelle Bryan. Sutliff broke another record before she even finished the race, timing in at 10:23.37 at the 1000-yard mark, breaking Northeastern's oldest swimming record previously held by Jessica Gerber, who set it in 1992. Also at the invitational, Fugge broke her own year-old record in the 200 freestyle.
Huskies occupied 15 spots in 13 events on the CAA's top 5 performances list, including top times by Lane, Alvarez and Fugge in the 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke and 200 IM, respectively. Northeastern relay teams in the 400 and 800 freestyles as well as the 200 and 400 medleys also placed in the top 5 league performances for the season.
Since switching from the America East Conference to the Colonial Athletic Association in 2006, Northeastern has twice finished sixth in the Championship. This season is different, however, as consistent individual wins and powerhouse relay teams have come up big for the Huskies on numerous occasions. The last time Northeastern went undefeated it took the America East Championship in the 2001-02 season, which bodes well for this year's team.
The action begins on Wed., Feb. 27 and fans will be able to keep up with results in real-time by going to CAAsports.com.
Feb. 25, 2008
Fairfax, VAThe No. 11 mid-major Huskies head to Fairfax, Va. to take part in the 2008 CAA Championship beginning Wed., Feb. 27 after wrapping up an exciting undefeated season. The Championship will conclude on Sat., March 1.
