There's nothing like a cold and dreary trip to New Haven to start off the new semester. Especially if you could be moments away from giving birth.

The Harvard women's swimming team soundly trounced Yale last night, 171-98, at Kinhuth Exibition Pool in New Haven, in front of 50 spectators and Harvard Coach Maura Costin Scalise.

None of this should be unusual. The Crimson (8-1 overall, 4-0 Ivy) has won 19 consecutive Ivy League dual meets, a streak dating back to 1985. And Costin Scalise generally accompanies her team to these meets.

But Costin Scalise is now nine months pregnant with her first child, with expected delivery any day. Although some might be inclined to take a few days off for such an occasion, Costin Scalise made last night's trip with her team, watching it extend its dominance over the rest of the Ivies to a period of nearly three years.

"She [Costin Scalise] kept encouraging us to cheer louder during the meet, to help the baby on its way," Co-Captain Kelley Taber said.

The Crimson had plenty to cheer about, as it captured 12 of the 16 events against an Eli squad that had some individual talent, but not enough depth to challenge the two-time Ivy champs.

"This has traditionally been a tough meet for us," Taber said, "because we keep training hard until the semester break and are usually tired. But, despite everything, we had a very good meet, especially from swimmers more accustomed to supporting roles."

Taber specifically praised the swims of freshmen Anne Hardy, Heather McCann and Nicole Engh, who each copped victories. Hardy swept past her opposition in both the 200- and 500-yd. freestyle events, while McCann touched first in the 200 breaststroke.