As part of the buildup to the 75th Anniversary celebration for Claremont McKenna College (visit CMC's 75th Anniversary Countdown Page to learn more), we are reliving many of the great moments from CMS athletic department history over the 75-day countdown from April 17 to July 1. If you were a part of this great moment and would like to add to the memories, or if you would like to submit your memories of your own favorite CMS Athletics moments, fill out the form on our main 75th Anniversary page.

Great Moments from 75 Years of Athletics 
2001 Women's Water Polo: CMS 5, Redlands 3, OT (Collegiate III National Finals) 

Before Division III women's water polo became absorbed into the NCAA Championships, the big event for small college women's water polo was the Collegiate III National Tournament. The Athenas had made some good runs in that tournament in the past, including winning it as club team in 1992 and using that championship as a springboard to upgrading to a varsity program in 1993. As a varsity program, CMS had come close to winning it again numerous times, with second-place finishes in 1995, 1996, 1999 and 2000, and third-place finishes in 1997 and 1998.

During the 2001 tournament, the Athenas were looking to get their hands on the winner's trophy, opened with lopsided wins over Macalaster and Washington & Jefferson on the first day, and then picked up hard-fought wins over UC Santa Cruz (6-4) and Occidental (6-2) on the second day.

That set up a championship match with Redlands, which had been a thorn in the CMS side during the season with its stingy defense. The Athenas fell to the Bulldogs 9-2 in the regular season and then 4-1 in the SCIAC Championship match, but got a third try with the DIII national championship at stake. Once again, scoring on the Bulldogs proved to be difficult, but CMS hung around and scored twice in the fourth quarter to force overtime with the score tied 3-3. CMS then struck twice in the extra session, taking a dramatic 5-3 win and winning its first Collegiate III Nationals title as a varsity program.

Kelly Freeman had two goals in the win, including one in overtime, while Heather McClure, Lauren Williams and Jennifer Sugiharto each had goals and Shannon Kelley had eight saves. Tara McGuire was a first-team All-American, while Freeman (a first-teamer in 2000) and Williams (a first-teamer in 2002) were on the second team and McClure was an honorable mention. 

Deborah (Schild) Wadleigh:

I wish I could remember all of the exact plays and moves of our comeback 20 years ago in better detail. But kids, work, and life can muddy all that up. So please forgive me if this is a bit hazy. 

The 2001 season for our water polo team was challenging but rewarding.  We had a new coach, Michael Ashe, for the third time in my four years at CMC. We lost our star hole set, Jane Mi, to an injury and we had to adjust to a new, but effective coaching style, and how to create an offense without Jane. 

I remember Heather (Macter) winning our sprints and never running out of steam. Lauren Williams came in clutch as a hole set and Laura Vartain often ran our offense from her lefty driver position really well. This typically happened when I got stuck in 2m and I'd draw a foul and pass to her immediately (after passing with Laura for three years, I still have a tendency to pass to the left hand). Tara and Heather were fantastic 2 meter D defense.  Everyone on our team contributed and helped make everyone better. 

I remember the rolling blackouts that led to us practicing in a freezing pool at times (remember those?!)  

I remember losing not only to Redlands, but also to Pomona during the regular season.  After the Pomona loss, I remember the very long and quiet cool down swim back at Axelrood Pool, while we all internally tried to figure out what the heck was going wrong. Things just were not clicking as we knew they could.  

Thankfully, we were able to get to Nationals and dominate.  We were peaking at the perfect time.  That final win over Redlands was surreal for everybody and so well-deserved.  

Being an Athena Water Polo player was an integral part of my time at CMC.  It helped shape me, not only as an athlete, but in all areas of my life.  I made lifelong friends by being an Athena and we created the best memories both in the pool and outside (mostly at post-game parties in my apartment).   

I think that water polo is such a fantastic sport for women to get involved in.  I may or may not have started running egg beater drills with my daughter as soon as she learned how to swim in case she decides to smell like chlorine all day like we did. 

Kelly Freeman:

Coach Ashe inspired the best in us all to become the best athletes and work hard as a team. Jane was our super-star set player and we could always rely on her strength and stealth to pass our drives towards the goal. Starting player Laura Vartain was our secret weapon lefty, and we could always rely on Lauren's speed and astuteness for a good steal. This championship was one of my best memories of my time at CMC and the result of hard work, dedicated training, top-notch coaching and true teamwork. This victory sets up a college student to believe that all dreams can be achieved.

2001 Women's Water Polo Roster
Head Coach: Michael Ashe
Assistant Coach: Brian Vlasich
Lili Akin (Jr., HMC)
Kelly Freeman (Jr., CMC)
Rika Hayashi (Jr., Scripps)
Shannon Kelley (So., HMC)
Heather Lane (So., CMC)
Erin Mastagni (Jr., CMC)
Heather McClure (So., CMC)
Tara McGuire (So., Scripps)
Jane Mi (Sr., HMC)
Maya Munoz (Fr., Scripps)
Suzy Nicoletti (Jr., CMC)
Debbie Schild (Sr., CMC)
Jennifer Sugiharto (Fr., CMC)
Laura Vartain (Jr., CMC)
Tracy Winters (So., Scripps)
Lauren Williams (Jr., CMC)