The Hokie Women’s Profiles
Cara Murnan
Richmond, Va. … Daughter of Suzanne and Larry Newell … Majoring in psychology and early childhood education.
Freshman Diver Leesburg, Va. 5-2
NEWELL’S CAREER BEST
Piemonte on Murnan: “Cara comes to Tech with a very strong background in all areas of diving. With many significant accomplishments on the platform, she can prove to be one of the best in the ACC. Her springboard events are strong as well, we will look to her to be a solid point scorer throughout her freshman season.” High School: Competed at Heritage H.S. … Has 10 years of diving experience, six years coming at MDC … A six time National Qualifier … 2007 AAU National Platform Champion. Personal: Cara Murnan was born on Nov. 6, 1989, in Washington, D.C. … Daughter of Scott and Sandi Murnan … Majoring in political science.
Megan Newell Senior Butterfly/Freestyle Ashburn, Va. 5-8, 3L
Skinner on Newell: “Megan is consistently improving every time she hits the water. She has what it takes to score individually and on relay teams at the ACC and NCAA competitions.” 2007-08: Awarded the team’s Coaches’ Award last season ... Had the strongest season ever by a butterfly swimmer at Tech ... Set school records in the 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly at the NCAA Championships, finishing 20th in the 100 butterfly and 36th in the 200 butterfly ... Helped the 200 and 400 medley relay teams on the third leg earn All-America honorable mention accolades by finishing 13th and 14th, respectively, at the NCAA Championships ... Set school records in the two events and in the 200 free relay at the NCAA Championships ... Earned her first career ACC title by helping the 200 medley team place first ... Took fifth in the 100 butterfly, 15th in the 200 butterfly and 30th in the 50 free ... Also helped the 400 medley relay and 400 free relay teams take second and sixth, respectively ... Captured the 100 butterfly title at the Nike Cup while finishing fourth in the 200 butterfly and 15th in the 50 free ... Also helped Tech win the 200 and 400 medley relays and finish sixth in the 200 free relay with the B team ... Received All-ACC Academic Team honors. 2006-07: Reached the finals in an individual event at the ACC Championships for the first time, finishing fifth in the 100 butterfly ... Helped the 200 medley relay squad finish second ... Also placed 12th in the 200 fly and 26th in the 50 free at the event ... Placed 14th in the 100 butterfly at the Nike Cup ... Took fifth in the 200 butterfly and 11th in the 500 free at the SMU Swim Classic. 2005-06: Placed 16th in the 200 butterfly event and 21st in the 100 butterfly at the ACC Championships ... Tied for 10th in the 200 butterfly at the Nike Cup. High School: Earned three letters for Sarah Horning at Stone Bridge H.S. … NISCA All-American in the 100 butterfly … Virginia AA state champion and record holder in the 100 butterfly … Three-time Loudoun County All-Extra first team. Personal: Megan Marie Newell was born on August 29, 1987, in
26
50 free.........................23.68 100 free.........................52.36 100 fly.........................53.45 200 fly......................2:00.01
Katherine Priess Freshman Breast/Freestyle/IM Laguna Niguel, Calif. 5-11
Skinner on Priess: “Katie is a strong, gifted swimmer who can help the team in many different ways this season.” High School: Four-year letter winner at Aliso Niguel H.S. … CIF division one champions … All-American senior season … Team MVP for four straight years. Personal: Kathryn Marie Priess was born on September 20, 1990, in Orange County, Calif. … Daughter of Henry and Marianne Priess … Majoring in life sciences.
Lauren Ritter Sophomore Distance Freestyle/IM Sterling, Va. 5-10, 1L
Skinner on Ritter: “Lauren heads into her sophomore year fresh off a solid freshman campaign. We will look for her to continue her success this season.” 2007-08: Received the team’s Rookie of the Year award with diver Sarah Milton ... Was the top distance swimmer on the team, setting a school record in the 1000 free, while setting the second-fastest times in the 500 and 1650 free events, topping the B standard in the process as well ... Finished ninth in the 1650 free, 15th in the 400 IM and 16th in the 500 free at the ACC Championships ... Took fourth in both the 500 and 1650 free and 10th in the 400 IM at the Nike Cup. High School: Swam at Dominion H.S. and for the FISH swimming club ... Captured the Virginia AA state championship in the 500 free all four years, including setting the state record as a senior ... Also won the 200 free as a senior ... Served as a team captain for three years ... Named Loudoun County Swimmer of the Year as a senior ... Named to the Loudoun County All-Extra team all four years ... A U.S. National qualifier in the distance events ... A Scholastic All-American. Personal: Lauren Ritter was born on Jan. 20, 1989, in Fairfax, Va. ... Daughter of Mark and Maria Ritter ... Plans to major in psychology. RITTER’S CAREER BEST
V i r g i n i a T e c h H 2 O K IE S
200 free......................1:54.90 500 free......................4:51.91 1000 free.................... 10:07.03 1650 free.................... 16:45.12 400 IM......................4:28.71