TOWSON, Md. – Towson's women's swimming and diving team begins its Colonial Athletic Association swimming and diving title defense Wednesday, when the CAA Championships begin at the Jim McKay Natatorium on the campus of George Mason University.

The Tigers have won the last four CAA Championships under Head Coach Pat Mead, a five-time CAA Women's  Coach of the Year.

“We can't worry about having a target on our backs,” Mead said. “If we did the proper work and preparations, the wins will show this weekend.”

The Tigers (10-1, 5-0 CAA) are led by senior Cari Czarnecki and sophomore Kaitlin Burke, who have each won multiple CAA Swimmer of the Week awards this season.

Czarnecki will be entering her final CAA Championship as a Towson record-holder in five events and has had a banner senior season. She has posted multiple wins in numerous meets this season, including Oct. 8 against William & Mary, a POD meet Nov. 6, and Nov. 12 against George Washington.

Burke, the reigning CAA Rookie of the Year, has excelled in the freestyle events this season after setting three Tiger freshman records last year.

The diving team has been a fantastic asset to the overall performance of the team, as seniors Jeanne Ball and Caroline Baker have consistently put together solid performances and big points. Freshman Lyndsey Dickson has also emerged as the season has progressed and adds another potent performer for Diving Coach Maureen Mead.

 Pat Mead knows it will take a full team effort to bring home another championship.

“It was a challenge to finalize our championship roster,” Mead said. “In moving forward, I think it is critical for our student-athletes to recognize how consistency during the year plays into the final selection process.”