When asked about her strong showing at the 2008 Canadian Olympic Trials in April, swimmer Amy Perrault '11 says it's all about the teamwork.

Teamwork in swimming?

The freshman from Kirkland Lake, Ontario, says she got her first real taste of competitive swimming with her fellow Wildcats. It's at UNH that she started training 18 hours a week and it's at UNH that she first saw how teammates can make a difference. "I come from a really small town, where the home team was made up of little kids," says Perrault. "It's not the same atmosphere as college. Here, my teammates motivate me to swim faster for the team."

Perrault won't be going to the 2008 games in China this summer, but she did post personal bests in the 100-yard fly and the 100-yard freestyle, swimming with some 750 of Canada's best. Her experience there followed a first year of collegiate competition where Perrault also made some waves. At the America East championship in March, she won the 100-yard backstroke and, with three teammates won the 200-yard medley relay, setting a conference record. She was also selected Rookie of the Meet.

Coach Joshua Willman says the team has been rebuilding since its back-to-back America East Conference championships in 2005 and 2006; UNH swimming is used to being a force to consider.