Emily Wood's championship experience and leadership will be key in bringing a title back to Lake Forest.

LAKE FOREST, IL - Both the women's and men's swimming & diving teams placed third at the 2002 Midwest Conference Championship Meet and then moved up a spot to second in 2003. Head coach Alec Webster and both Forester squads are hoping to continue their climb to the top of the standings in 2004. The women, who have won nine league crowns, will be looking for their first title since 1998 and the men, who last won in 2001, have their sights set on championship number eight.

"Our goal from year to year remains the same - to win the conference meet and make a name for ourselves at the national level," comments Webster. "We moved a step closer to the league title last year and we have a few swimmers who could find themselves at the national meet next March."

One swimmer in particular who Webster expects to lead the team is Emily Woods, who has won five of six individual events at her first two MWC Championships. She placed first in the 50-freestyle and 100-butterfly both years and was the 2002 champion in the 100-backstroke. Her 59.83 in the 100-butterfly was a National B-Cut qualifying time.

A trio of freshman also made significant contributions at the conference meet. Liz Eberlein and Genia Lindsey won the 200-freestyle and 1,650-freestyle, respectively, and each added two more top-four finishes. Erin Colwell also placed among the top four in three different individual events. The three, along with Woods, give the team a good nucleus for the next few years.

On the men's side, the only returning conference champion is Brady Lowdermilk, who won the 200-butterfly in 1:59.75. He also placed third in both the 100- and 200-backstroke.

Aaron Lawlor, Joe Isaacs and the Koop brothers, Jeremy and Aaron, join Lowdermilk in leading the men's squad. Each placed in the top ten of the MWC in each of his three events, including a pair of runner-up performances by Lawlor.

Both teams have key members of last season's team returning and have many reasons to be optimistic about 2003-04.