Ewing, NJ ... The College of New Jersey men's and women's swimming and diving teams begin their quest for national prominence at the NCAA Division III National Championships held at the University of Minnesota hosted by Beloit College and The College of Wooster. 

The meet will take place over four days beginning Wednesday, March 17. The men's team completed the regular season with a 9-1 record capturing the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship and followed that with its fourth consecutive Metropolitan Conference Championship. TCNJ is hoping to improve on its 10th place finish in the 2009 NCAA Championships. 

The Lions will send eight members of the men's squad led by seniors Myles O'Connor (Santa Monica, CA/Homeschool), James VanBiervliet (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough), and 2010 MET Swimmer of the Meet junior Tom Medvecky (Piscataway, NJ). Sophomore T.J. Burns (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) will represent the Lions diving team. 

The women's team will send seven swimmers led by MET Swimmer of the Meet junior Margaret Molloy (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East). Sophomore Laura Pierce (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) qualified for a pair of individual events and three relays while Kayleigh Shangle (Highland Park, NJ/Highland Park) will enter her first NCAA championship event in two individual events and three relays. 

The women's team finished with an 8-1 regular season and also copped an NJAC title. The Lions went on to win their third straight MET title and have the talent and depth to embellish upon their 53th place finish at the NCAAs in 2009. 

O'Connor, VanBiervliet, and Medvecky will be joined in Minnesota by junior Shawn Kircher (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North), sophomores Ryan Clark (Ocean City, NJ/St. Augustine), Mike Vernoia (Hillsborough, NJ/Immaculata), and freshman Adam Schneider (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East). 

Competing with Molloy, Pierce, and Shangle will be senior Ashley Robb (Blackwood, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), sophomores Traci Hofer (Millville, NJ/Millville), Melissa Hessler (Palmyra, NJ/Palmyra), and freshman Kristyn Wikoff (Shrewsbury, NJ/Red Bank Regional). 

To follow the meet results, go to http://www.ncaa.com/sports/c-swim/champpage/c-swim-div3-index.html. 

Note:
According to the College Swimming Coaches Association poll, the women's team ranked 16th in the nation with a team cumulative average of 3.43 during the fall 2009 semester.