11/5/2006 - (Convent Station, NJ) - The more things change the more they stay the same for the Mount Saint Vincent Women's Swimming team. With a new Head Coach at the helm, and 2005 All-Conference pick Marie Garcia (Medford, MA/Medford HS) unable to attend the meet due to her participation in the Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference (HVWAC) Women's Soccer Championship Game, it would have been very understandable if the Dolphins were to suffer a set-back of sorts during their season-open meet at Saint Elizabeth on Sunday. However, this is the same focused and determined Dolphins group that has finished as the HVWAC runner-up during the last two years, and despite the challenges at hand they proved to be every bit as strong as ever last night, downing the host Eagles in dominant fashion, 77-40. With the win, the Dolphins are now 1-0 for the 2006 season and 1-0 in HVWAC competition.

Senior Maggie McGowan (Brooklyn, NY/St. Savior) made sure that Garcia's absence did not spoil the party for new Head Coach Beth Clark during her first head-to-head meet at the Dolphin helm. McGowan led the Mount to a first place finish in the 200 medley relay, and then captured first place in both the 50-breast (40.09) and 100-breast (1:29.59). First place was a common theme for Mount Saint Vincent as the Dolphins claimed top prize in all nine events, leading to a dominant effort to start the season.

Also having strong meets for the Mount were sophomore Jillian Stark (Brooklyn, NY), who joined McGowan on the victorious 200 Medley Relay team and won the 50-back and 100-back events, and sophomore Megan Clark (Silver Spring, MD/St. John's Prep) who helped lead the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay teams to first place finishes.

Mount Saint Vincent returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 8 when they travel to Marymount College for a huge HVWAC tri-meet with Marymout and the College of New Rochelle. Competition begins at 7:00 p.m.