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Owls Swim Past UMD on Senior Day, Celebrate Coach Laing

Westfield State swim coach Dave Laing goes in the pool after his final home meet on Jan. 22, 2022, dragged in by senior captains Emily Smith and Lauren Harkins. (Dave Fried photo)
Westfield State swim coach Dave Laing goes in the pool after his final home meet on Jan. 22, 2022, dragged in by senior captains Emily Smith and Lauren Harkins. (Dave Fried photo)
Posted: Jan 22, 2022

WESTFIELD, Mass. –  Westfield State women's swimming and diving enjoyed a banner day, celebrating a pair of senior classes, and the final home meet of coach Dave Laing's 40-year career as the Owls swam past UMass-Dartmouth by a 142-84.

The Owls won 10 of the first 11 events. Alexa Richter (Westfield, Mass.) won three individual events, and Aly Locke (Bookfield, Mass.)  and Kat Ferri (Springfield, Mass.), a pair of transfers from UMD each won an event for the Owls.

Before the meet, Westfield honored 2022 seniors Emily Smith (Medway, Mass.) and Lauren Harkins (Woburn, Mass.), and also 2021 seniors Kait Kelly (Hampden, Mass.) and Taylor Pierce (Moriches, N.Y.) who returned for the ceremony after missing their senior seasons due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Owls' head coach Dave Laing was also feted before the meet, as he was recognized by athletic director Dick Lenfest, and by Smith and Harkins.    Lenfest suggested that Laing could return for a 41st season, but said he thought better of it as Sue Laing "Might not only push me in the pool, but hold my head under it for a very long time."

Laing will coach the Owls through the end of the 2022 season.   A retirement event is being planned for June 10.  Watch WestfieldStateOwls.com for more details.