BETHLEHEM, Pa. – As the Mountain Hawks prepare for the 2012-13 season, the Lehigh women’s swimming and diving team was predicted to finish fifth, as the Patriot League Preseason Polls were announced Wednesday. Lehigh finished with 54 points in the poll, which was voted on by the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
The Lehigh women’s team finished fifth in last year’s Patriot League championships following a 4-7 dual meet season. Rob Herb enters his ninth season with a veteran squad let by school record holders Alissa Leung and senior Brooke Smalley. Senior breaststroke 
swimmer Emily DiDonato look to make an impact in the championships this year as well coming off a year in which she earned second team All-League honors.
Leung set two school records as a freshman in last year’s Patriot League championships, wiping more than four seconds off Julie Mitchell’s school record in the 200 yard back stroke. She was the only Mountain Hawk to earn first team All-League laurels a year ago.
The Mountain Hawks’ roster features five seniors, three juniors and five sophomores. Herb has also brought in eight freshmen to provide depth heading into the upcoming season.
The defending Patriot League champions from Navy were the preseason favorite earning 95 points and 11 first place votes. Colgate, who finished second last year surrendering their title to Navy, was picked to finish second this year, picking up four first place votes. Bucknell was picked third, followed by Army, Lehigh, American, Lafayette and Holly Cross.
The Mountain Hawks will hold their annual Brown and White meet on Friday September 30 before opening their regular season at Holy Cross on October 9.
The Mountain Hawks will hold their annual Brown and White meet on Friday September 28 before opening their regular season against West Chester on Friday October 19 at Jacobs Pool.
Patriot League Women’s Swimming and Diving Preseason Poll
|
Team (# first place votes)
|
Points
|
|
1. Navy (11)
|
95
|
|
2. Colgate (4)
|
88
|
|
3. Bucknell (1)
|
74
|
|
4. Army
|
58
|
|
5. LEHIGH
|
54
|
|
6. American
|
33
|
|
7. Lafayette
|
32
|
|
8. Holy Cross
|
14
|
Story by C.J. McCollum ‘13