BY CSTV.com,

The Georgetown University swimming and diving team qualified 32 student-athletes for the BIG EAST Championships at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow, N.Y., beginning on February 20. The Hoyas' 32 qualifiers are eight more than the 24 sent to last year's BIG EAST Championships.

A year ago, the Hoyas broke 13 school records at the BIG EAST Championships. Sophomore Laura Stark (Martinsville, N.J./Mount St. Mary) and junior Goran Bistric (Saugus, Calif./William S. Hart) broke three apiece, while sophomore Laura Alito (West Caldwell, N.J./James Caldwell) broke two. Each of those record-setters will have opportunities improve on last year's times.

While each qualifier is only able to swim in three individual heats and four relays, several swimmers qualified in more than three events. Stark led the team, qualifying in eight events. Freshman Mallory Kiplinger (Darien, Conn./Darien) qualified in six, while senior Caitlin Colling (Monson, Mass./Monson) and Brian Koh (Rowland Heights, Calif./Damien) each posted qualifying times in five events. GU had nine other swimmers qualify in four events.

Colling and Tori Maffey (Mountainside, N.J./Mount St. Mary) are the lone seniors on the squad to post BIG EAST Championship qualifying times. Colling will race in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle and Maffey will represent the Hoyas in the 100 and 200 backstroke.

This year's freshman class has contributed heavily to the success of the squad, with 12 newcomers qualifying, led by Kiplinger. In addition Hamilton Jordan (Frisco, Texas/Jesuit College Prep), Ali Christie (Edison, N.J./Mount St. Mary), Megan Harvey (Norristown, Pa./Academy of Notre Dame) and Katherine Lee (New York, N.Y./Spence) have posted impressive times throughout the season.

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