Those who have followed the swimming and diving team know about freshman star Kate Weaver. She has filled the headlines and gained a lot of attention. Yet, it seems that a different Catamount has been stepping up each week, ready to lead her team to victory.Coach Cournoyer believes that the other girls and Weaver compliment each other. They work well together in and out of the pool as shown in the Nov. 18 meet against Maine, when senior Nicole Underhill and Weaver pulled off a one-two finish in the 200 IM. One of the girls who has led the Catamounts this year is returning sophomore Molly MacMillan. MacMillan has continued to dominate her distance events, Cournoyer said. MacMillan recorded numerous first place finishes and set new records in freestyle and backstroke events.In the beginning of the year, Cournoyer made comments about his returning girls assuming the roles of leaders on the team. He said that sophomore Colleen Clark should continue to improve and help lead the team to the next level.Junior Ashley Gillespie is “expected to lead the team in the breaststroke events again this season.” The girls have responded well to the roles Cournoyer set.Underhill recently won three events against Maine as the Catamounts beat the Black Bears 172-128. Underhill won the 100 and the 200 butterfly with her time in the 200 of 2:06.18 earning her a varsity record. When asked about Underhill’s performance against Maine, Coach Cournoyer said, “[Underhill] is one of the conference’s strongest swimmers throughout her four years. She holds three school records, which she has broken every year. “Her experience along with the work ethic and experience of our upperclassmen has set the tone for this team.”Cournoyer emphasized the idea that swimming is a team sport. The idea that no one person can do it alone is very important to this team. He said that as a coach he is very lucky to have a strong and well balanced team, and it will be interesting to see who will be the next Catamounts to step up and lead the team for the rest of the season.
