12/6/2005 - (Riverdale, NY) - Mount Saint Vincent Senior Elizabeth Clark (Silver Spring, MD/St. John’s Prep), junior Maggie McGowan (Brooklyn, NY/St. Savior), and sophomore Marie Garcia (Medford, MA, Medford HS) were named to the All-Conference team of the Hudson Valley Women’s Athletic Conference (HVWAC) after helping to lead the Dolphins to a 4-1 Conference record this season, and a runner-up finish at last Friday’s HVWAC Championships. The trio also combined for

Members of the Mount Saint Vincent Women's Swimming team who were selected to the HVWAC All-Conference team this season (L-R): Elizabeth Clark, Marie Garcia, Maggie McGowan. Mount Saint Vincent finished the 2005 HVWAC Swimming season as the regular season and championship meet runner-up.

11 medals at the championships, and finished in either first or second place during every one of their individual races during the 2005 HVWAC season.

Clark earned All-Conference honors for her efforts in the backstroke as she established herself as one of the Conference’s top performers in both the 50 and 100-yard backstroke events this season. Her finest performance in both events came during the HVWAC Championships when she completed in the 50-yard event in a season-best 33.41, and the 100-yard event in a season-best 1:14.99. She finished second in both events, however, the eventual winner broke the HVWAC Championship record time to gain both wins. Clark was also a member of an outstanding 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle team.

McGowan was every bit as dominant in the 50 and 100-yard breaststroke events this season as she failed to finish in first place only twice during the season, and won the 50-yard breaststroke event at the HVWAC Championships in a time of 37.68 despite a nagging ankle injury. The win was the sole first place finish for Mount Saint Vincent during the HVWAC Championships. McGowan also earned medals as a member of the 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay teams.

Garcia, a three-sport athlete at Mount Saint Vincent, proved to be the Mount’s most versatile swimmer this season, excelling in both the butterfly and IM events. During the HVWAC Championships, she earned third place in the 200-yard IM and was a member of both medal-winning relay teams.

Women’s Swimming season will continue into next semester for Mount Saint Vincent for the first time as the Dolphins will compete in four team events during the month of February, and look to qualify for individual competition at the Metropolitan Championships on Feb. 17.