Jan. 26, 2004

FAIRFIELD, CT (January 26, 2004) - Senior Christine DePierro (Cromwell, CT) was named the Sacred Heart University Athlete of the Week for the week ending January 25, 2004.

The Cromwell, CT native had an outstanding weekend as the women's swimming team competed at Siena and Vermont. On Saturday at Siena she won the 1,000-yard freestyle in a school record and ECAC qualifying time of 10:46.75 and placed second in the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 55.40 She then won the 500-yard freestyle in a time of 5:21.06, and was on the winning 200-yard freestyle relay that won in a time of 1:50.76.

On Sunday against the University of Vermont she won the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 1:58.82 breaking her own school record in hitting an ECAC 'B' cut qualifying time. She then won the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 55.71, and then capped off the day with by again winning the 500-yard freestyle in a time of 5:22.19. DePierro is now eligible to swim in 4 events at the ECAC Championships, which will be held at the University of Pittsburgh the last weekend in February.

"She's having a career year and has an excellent chance at placing in the top three at the NEC and ECAC Championships," said women's swimming head coach Dan Maloney. "This is the first time we've ever sent anyong to the ECAC meet. As a captain she sets a great axample for the rest of the team."

DePierro and the rest of the Pioneers will return to action when they host Central Connecticut and St. Francis (NY) on January 31, 2004 at the Wheeler Recreation Center on the campus of Bridgeport University.

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