Swimming & Diving: firing in the water
By: Chris Wells, Staff Writer
Towson swimming and diving kept their momentum rolling from last week as both men’s and women’s teams left George Washington University victorious.
“George Washington swam very well and made our team step up to the challenge to pull out victories for both teams,” Head Coach Pat Mead said. “[It was a] great way to finish the dual meet season this fall.”
The men’s team dominated from the start, winning twelve events en route to a 182-72 victory.
Junior Nick Breschi led the charge with a first place finish in both the 100-yard backstroke event (51.50) and the 200-yard backstroke (1:54.30).
Senior Matt Hans came out on top of his fellow Tigers in the 100-yard freestyle event with a time of 46.50. Following Hans was senior Zach Brech (47.92) in second, and senior Matt McKenney in third (48.46).
Hans wasn’t finished there, as he picked up his second victory of the day in the 50-yard freestyle event (21.19) with Brech finishing in a close third (21.60).
McKenney continued his successful day with a first-place finish in the 200-yard butterfly event with a time of 1:50.52, and grabbed up another win in the 100-yard butterfly (49.81).
Junior Jeremy Liu won the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 59.07, senior Joel Todd finished third (59.67).
The Tiger team of Breschi, Hans, Liu and McKenney all followed their individual success with a team victory in the 200-yard medley relay in 1:33.75.
The women’s team won ten events in its 192-102 dual meet victory. Junior Macy Arnold started her impressive day with a win in the 50-yard freestyle event in 24.59 and freshman Kara Powell finished third (25.34).
“The women’s team was led by Macy Arnold with three wins, and the men’s team was led by Matt McKenney, Matt Hans Nick Breschi and Jeremy Liu,” Mead said. “Good meet for both our men and women.”
Arnold kept rolling as she won the 500-yard freestyle event with a time of 5:03.60, and senior Hannah Snyder finished in second (5:07.20).
Senior standout Jenna Van Camp won the 200-yard breaststroke event in 2:21.23.
The team of Arnold, Van Camp, senior Charlotte Holz, and freshman Tara Goss earned a first-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:47.17.
Younger Tigers performed well, as freshman Ashley Illenye won the 1000-yard freestyle event in 10:24.69, followed by fellow freshman Ryan Ulrich in second-place (10:40.40).
“Diving was led by Molly [Arceri] and Natalie [Szopo] each winning one board,” Mead said. “The Pitt invite will be our last competition for the fall.”
The Tigers have a week off as they prepare for the Pittsburgh Invite from Nov. 20-22.
“It is a different format and the focus will be more on individual success at that meet,” Mead said. “I am confident it will be a great experience for the team.”
