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One of Ithaca’s most successful intercollegiate athletic programs, the women’s swimming and diving team has achieved great results at
the state, regional and national levels. In 39 seasons the Bombers own a 268-77-2 record (a .775 winning percentage) and have had a .500 record or better in 38 of the program's 39 seasons.
the state, regional and national levels. In 39 seasons the Bombers own a 268-77-2 record (a .775 winning percentage) and have had a .500 record or better in 38 of the program's 39 seasons.
The Bombers won all of the league championships during the 11-year existences of the Empire 8’s predecessors, the Independent College Athletic Conference (ICAC) and the Empire Athletic Association (EAA). Ithaca has also won 19 state titles and has finished in the top 10 at 14 of the last 23 NCAA Division III championships.
Success started immediately for the Bombers and inaugural coach
Peggy Anderson as the team posted an 8-0 mark and won the New York State Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NYSAIAA) title in 1968-69. The winning continued through the early 1970s with four consecutive state championships under coach Deborah Wuest.
Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame member Bill Ware spent one year as women’s coach in 1980-81 and coached Ithaca’s first all-American, Cindy Weibtraub, who earned the honor in the 50-yard freestyle event at the 1980 Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) championship.
Jim Perkins took over as coach in 1981 and after one season led Ithaca to a top-10 national finish. Perkins coached Ithaca’s first women’s swimming national champion, Catherine Lyons, who won the 50-yard freestyle at the 1983 NCAA championship. Lyons earned five all-American honors that season, while teammate Dorsi Raynolds earned four. In 1992 Lyons became the first swimmer inducted into the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame. Raynolds was inducted in 1996.
The Bombers’ best years have come under current coach Paula Miller. During her 23 seasons the Bombers have finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Division III championship 12 times and have twice placed fourth in the meet.
The program’s best season came in 1986-87 when Ithaca finished fourth at the NCAA championship. Eight Bombers earned all-American honors. Nancy Stapp, a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame, earned six all-American honors that season and 25 in her career. Miller received Division III coach of the year honors.
Ithaca finished fourth again in 1988-89 as sophomore Amy Robinson set the Division III record while winning the individual national title in the 100-yard backstroke at the NCAA championship. Robinson, an 18-time all-American, was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.
During the early 1990s Maria Ampula and Dawn Schmalzriedt were Ithaca’s top swimmers. Ampula earned a school-record 28 all-American honors and Schmalzriedt received all-American recognition 25 times. Their teammate, Julie Smith, set the school’s 200-yard backstroke mark and earned 21 all-American honors. All three have been inducted into Ithaca College’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ithaca has won eight state titles in the past 11 seasons. The Bombers finished eighth at nationals in 1998 and seventh in 1989. Renee Helbok, a 25-time all-American, won the 500-yard freestyle at the 1999 NCAA championships. Miller received her second Division III coach of the year award after that season.
Ithaca has won 94 of its last 118 dual meets and has finished first or
second at 24 of the past 28 state meets. The Bombers have also won the Empire 8 crown for the past six years. Megan Hughes, a 15-time all-American, recorded nine individual top-10 finishes at nationals during her four-year career. Hughes’ best performance came at the 2003 NCAA championships where she finished third in the 200-yard freestyle.