Two more Ravens for OUA championships      
Written by Heather Sutherland     
Thursday, 01 February 2007 
 
The Carleton Ravens swim team qualified two more swimmers for the provincial 
championships during the university’s invitational meet against the Queen’s 
University Golden Gaels Jan. 27.

Carleton head coach Lynn Marshall said Ravens Erika Hessen and Jean-Francois 
Jacques qualified for provincials because of their performances at the meet. 
It was the last chance for swimmers to make it to the championship, she said. 

Hessen posted personal best times in all her events at the meet, including 
the 50-metre, 100-metre and 200-metre breaststroke. Carleton will send a 
team of 11 men and 14 women to the championship.

In addition to being the last chance to qualify for provincials, the meet 
gave swimmers from both teams the chance to swim in events they would not 
normally compete in because no points were scored, said Marshall.

 “We are here to finish getting ready for OUAs [Ontario University Athletics 
Championship],” added Viki Raymond, head coach of the Golden Gaels.

Marshall said the results of the meet were a “pleasant surprise.” 

Some swimmers posted their best times, which was good to see because the team 
is at “the middle of the taper for OUAs,” she added.

She added that she “would have liked to see more [swimmers] qualify.”

Halfway through the meet, Carleton women’s captain Amy Pouliot said she was 
happy with the team’s results. 

Pouliot said she “wants the team to move up in the standings” at provincials. 
The team has a good chance to improve upon previous years’ showings, she added.

But Marshall said it will be difficult for the men’s team to improve because 
seven veteran swimmers did not return this year.

Marshall said she hopes to have individuals and the relay teams place in the 
top 16 and the top eight.  She would also like to have some swimmers qualify 
for the national championship, she said.

Before provincials, the team needs to work on starts and turns, pacing, and 
other fine-tuning, she said.  The OUA championship tournament will take place
in early February.