By Breda O'Connor

Friday marks the first day of competition for the 2010 New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA) Championships.  The meet will take place February 19-21 at the Upper Valley Aquatics Center in White River Junction, Vermont.  11 members of the Pride squad are set to compete this weekend.

Leading the pack is a solid group of freshmen who look to place well this weekend.  Christina Estrada will compete in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyles as well as add depth to many of the relays.  Steven McGovern will be competing in all of the breaststroke events, while fellow freshman Andy Laforest will tackle the sprints, swimming the 50 and 100 freestyles, and the 100 butterfly.  Nick Yerzyk and Megan Pratt will also contribute to the sprinting events throughout the weekend.

Leadership will be a strength for the Pride, as veterans Ben Perry, Mick Moriarty, and Lindsay Ranahan contend this weekend.  Perry will compete in the 100 and 200 backstrokes, as well as the 100 IM.  Ranahan will participate in all of the backstroke events, while Moriarty will contribute to the sprinting events. 

Captain Melissa Moore, Katie Bradford, and Devin Galvin will also add to the Pride’s depth contributing to the five relays over the course of the weekend.

Follow the Pride as they make waves this weekend: http://athletics.une.edu/sports/2010/1/26/NEISDA.aspx