The women's swim team at Kean University will participate in its first and only home meet in the D'Angola Gymnasium Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. This is an exciting moment for Kean Athletics as it marks the return of the women's swimming program. After being an inactive program for more than a decade, the women's swim team is now back in action.
The swim team's first meet of the season was against the Privateers of State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. Its first meet was a loss of 109-84, but they won a 50-yard freestyle event and the 100-yard butterfly event.
Head Coach Barbara Perkins said, "Our first meet was a loss, but we had some fantastic swims with three individual wins and a victory in the final relay of the night. Nicole Rodas won the 50-yard freestyle, Molly Lasko won the 100-yard butterfly, Stephanie Kontra won the 100-yard breaststroke and our relay team of Darlene Holmes, Molly Lasko, Stephanie Kontra and Nicole Rodas clinched the 200-yard freestyle relay."
The strong team of 14 women was dormant since 2003, but students can look forward to seeing them around more often as a varsity sport during the 2017-2018 school year.
Perkins graduated from Saint Mary's College of California in 2011, where she was also the team captain of the water polo team for her final two seasons. She joined the Kean University Athletic Department for her first season this year, feeling the learning experience from the transition to head coach.
"[Becoming a coach] definitely forged some new paths and made things happen. There has been a lot of preparation that has gone into putting a team together, getting ready for the season, and also trying to get recruits for the future of the program. There has also been a lot that has gone into preparing our pool for the home meet next week! We are very excited to host the first meet at Kean in 14 years!"
Perkins looks forward to seeing how far the team can go as well as improve by the end of the season.
"We have already made huge strides in just a couple of weeks, but this is a great team. They are eager to learn and they want to work hard. I think they have really come together as a team because they have a vision for the season and they want to accomplish their goals together," Perkins added.
Students should attend this semester's home meet, as it is special to the swimmers and the Kean Cougars.
Perkins said, "This home meet is a chance for us to bring the school together, support our new team, and celebrate the rejuvenation of our women's swim program! It's a very exciting time for these girls and we want to share it with the Kean community. We would love for as many people as possible to join us! Let's pack the pool!"
Besides their home meet happening Nov. 2, the Cougars will return to the pool in Mahwah, N.J. on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 against the Roadrunners of Ramapo College at 2 p.m.
Students can keep track of their upcoming events from their Instagram and Twitter.
- IG: @keanswimming
- Twitter: @keanswimming
In addition, students can check out http://www.keanathletics.com/sports/wswim/index for more information.
Great job getting back into the waters women's swim team. The Kean community should come and support the swim team by cheering for them at their future meets! Good luck to the women and the campus looks forward to seeing the team grow.
