The Boston University women's swimming and diving team proved in 1998-99 that dual meet results are not always indicative of a team's ability. The Terriers went a respectable 4-4 in dual meet competition this past season, but their true colors shined through in the America East and ECAC Championships.

Entering the season, the Terriers knew they had depth in all four of their class years. They had a strong senior class with freestyle swimmer and team captain Laura Tuck and backstroker Kristy Helin, and a junior class that boasted an excellent diver in Cynthia Hoffman and a superb all-around swimmer in Abigail Clark. Their freshman and sophomore classes were unusually solid, with sophomores Christina Chen and Amelia Finnerty contributing a combined 33 first-place race finishes. Michelle Cummings, a freshman butterfly swimmer, also proved a valuable asset winning two races and placing second five times.

The Terriers opened the season with back-to-back losses against New Hampshire and Massachusetts. In each of the losses, Chen and Clark established themselves as two of the more prominent swimmers on the team. Chen placed first in the 50 freestyle in both meets, while Clark finished first in both the 100- and 200- breaststroke against Massachusetts.

The Terriers then went on a four-meet winning streak. On November 21 at home against Northeastern, seven B.U. swimmers had first-place finishes. Leading the way were Clark and sophomore Corey Cooper, who each had four. Hoffman also took firsts in both the one-meter and three-meter dives.

Two weeks later, B.U. traveled to Maine, and prevailed, 191-100. Clark again swept all of her events, taking first-place in all four races, and Hoffman again swept both dives.

On December 12, the Terriers toppled Central Connecticut on the road, 140-95. In what would be her final dual meet of the season, Cooper would place first in the 200 freestyle and help the 400- medley relay team to a first-place finish as well.

The team then had a six week vacation during the winter intersession which saw some of the Terriers compete in the Forum Classic January 5, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Leading the way yet again was Clark who stood atop the medal stands after finishing first in both the 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle races. Finnerty and sophomore Lee Mussman placed first and third, respectively, in the 100 fly. Cooper placed third overall in the 100 backstroke, her final race of the season.

On January 23, the Terriers returned to dual-meet action, walloping Vermont, 219-71. This time, 11 Terriers placed first in their events. Clark, Tuck, and Chen swept their events, and Finnerty and Shipman had two victories each.

The team hit a decline, dropping its final two dual-meets,187-117 to Boston College, and a 157-138 defeat at Rhode Island. Despite the losses, Cynthia Hoffman swept both of her dives against BC, and and sophomore Amelia Price swept both her dives against URI.

The Terriers' shining moments came in the postseason as the team took second place at the America East Championships in Orono, ME on February 19-21. Clark led four different relay teams to first-place finishes.

In the ECAC Championships, which were held February 25-27 in Gloucester, NJ, the Terriers placed a surprising seventh. Clark placed second in both the 200 breaststroke and 50 freestyle races.