Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving: Tigers shine at potomac

By: Chris Wells, Contributing Writer

Towson women’s swimming and diving finished first, and the men’s team placed second, at the Potomac Relays Friday hosted by American University in the Reeves Aquatic Center in Washington, D.C.

“I think we are a much better team than how we performed today,” Head Coach Pat Mead said. “We need to be tougher and a bit more confident during our races.”

After the meet, the women’s team was initially determined to have placed second. However, after a review of the scores it was announced that with a score of 116 for Towson, and 108 for George Mason University, the women’s team won the event.

Highlighting the men’s side was the trio of senior Zach Brech, junior Nick Breschi and freshmen Jack Saunderson.

The trio won the 3×100-yard butterfly relay with a time of 2:33.89.

“Zach Brech had some very good splits in the relays,” Mead said. “Matt McKenney was very tough swimming back to back relays and Nick Breschi did a great job as well.”

The team of Brech, Breschi, senior McKenney and freshmen Stefan Keller placed second in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:36.46.

The freshmen had strong performances but Mead believes his upperclassmen need to step up and lead the way.

“We need our upper class athletes to lead our large group of freshmen if we are going to be successful,” Mead said. “The more competitions, I believe, the more opportunity for them to learn how to race and compete.”

Freshmen diver Jake Casey had a strong showing placing second in the one-meter (149.5) and three-meter (127.05) events.

On the women’s side, senior Jenna Van Camp, junior Macey Arnold and senior Christine Hammond highlighted the team.

The team of Van Camp, Arnold, Hammond and senior Hannah Synder won the 400-yard medley relay with a time of 4:04.69.

“Jenna Van Camp and Macey Arnold led the way for the women with outstanding performances,” Mead said. “Christine Hammond swam tough in her races and freshmen Amanda Rosa put up the best swims for our freshmen women.”

Rosa teamed with Synder and senior Charlotte Holz to finish second in the 3×100-yard breaststroke relay with a time of 3:23.19.

The relay team of freshmen Ryan Ulrich and Haley Sutton, sophomore Corie Morton, and junior Melissa Toy won the 500-yard freestyle relay with a time of 4:40.49.

“We will need more freshmen women to contribute if we are going to be competitive this year in dual meets,” Mead said. “Our training has been better than our meet performance today.”

Freshmen diver Kelsey Jehl and senior Molly Arceri both impressed by placing first in their respective events.

Jehl won with a score of 258.00 in the one-meter event, and Arceri earned a score of 264.40 for the win in the three-meter event.

“To win dual meets there has to be a desire to win,” Mead said. “Today I think we lacked that focus and drive.”

Towson’s next challenge is their first dual meet of the season at rival William & Mary, Saturday Oct. 10.

“I think William & Mary will be a test of our talent and our character,” Mead said. “I am confident we have the abilities to win.”

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