ORONO – As a freshman, Laurie Deputy swam on two school record-setting relay teams for the University of Maine women’s swimming squad. Deputy was supported and surrounded by the UM program’s depth of talent.

The fact that three seasons later, Deputy, now a senior, is still searching for another school record speaks volumes about the problems that befell the UM program as she prepares to lead Maine into this weekend’s North Atlantic Conference Championships at the Wallace Pool on campus.

“It’s been like a big change from the first year I was here with all the budget cuts and everything,” said Deputy, whose grandparents met as UM students, which contributed to her decision to leave her native Harrisonburg, Va., to swim for the Black Bears. “My freshman year we’d win every meet. But with the budget constraints, it’s been hard to recruit people.”

Gradually, expectations for the Maine women lowered right along with their operating budget. But after the program was saved by a private fund-raising effort last year, Deputy perceives things to be on the rebound.

“The team has been going really well. We don’t have a whole lot of strength. We all go in and do the best we can. We all keep a good frame of mind,” said Deputy.

Personally, this has been Deputy’s best season.

“This is the best in-season I’ve ever had because I’ve gone in relaxed with the attitude of doing the best I can,” said Deputy, who swims the 500, 200, 100, and 50 free style individually while also swimming the 200 and 400 free relays. “I had a 25.4 in the 50 free, which is my fastest since my freshman year.”

Deputy’s resurgence couldn’t come at a better time, according to UM Swim Coach Jeff Wren.

“She’s been a real mainstay for us,” said Wren. “She started out as a sprinter and she’s really developed into a fine free styler all the way from 500 to 50. It’s been hard for her because of what’s happened to the team. But she’s really stayed with it. She’s pretty clearly the top swimmer on the team. We’ll need her this weekend.”

Deputy said she wants to go out in style in the NACs.

“This is my last meet so I want to make sure I do the best I can,” she said.

NAC Schedule

Friday – trials, noon; finals, 7 p.m.

Saturday – trials, noon; finals 7 p.m.

Sunday – trials, 11 a.m.; finals 5:30 p.m.