Swimming & Diving: Tigers make splash at George Mason

By: Chris Wells, Staff Writer

Towson men’s and women’s swimming and diving swept its competition this weekend, earning five dual meet victories in total after day two of their POD Meet at George Mason University. 

The women’s team defeated host George Mason 219-132, and earned victories against their CAA rivals, Drexel 227-126 and Northeastern 231-122.

“The women dominated the weekend with great performances turned in by Arnold, Snyder, Holz, and Hammond,” Head Coach Pat Mead said. “Ashley Illenye led the women with three individual wins and two lifetime best swims.”

Towson dominated the 500-yard freestyle event led by freshman Ashley Illenye (5:00.64).

Junior Macey Arnold followed in second (5:02.51) and senior Hannah Synder rounded out the sweep in third (5:04.06).

Illenye didn’t stop there as she won her second event of the weekend in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:04.28.

The 400-yard individual medley event was owned by the Tigers as senior Christine Hammond won with a time of 4:27.06 and Synder followed in second (4:29.51).

“The divers did a great job too making the point spread in our favor,” Mead said. “Natalee Szapo led the way for our women in 1 meter and 3 meter.”

Senior Natalee Szopo finished second in diving events with a score of 262.65 followed by fellow senior Molly Arceri in third place (249.35).

On the men’s side the Tigers defeated host George Mason 205.5-135.5 and earned a big victory over CAA rival Drexel 220-131.

“It was a great team effort this weekend, everyone contributed to the successful wins,” Mead said. “Tim Shade had an outstanding swim in the 400 individual medley and 500 free.”

Like the Lady Tigers, the 400-yard individual medley was dominated by the men.

Sophomore Colin Roddy led the sweep for the Tigers with a time of 4:06.22, followed by junior Tim Schade (4:06.37) and junior Noah Pritchard (4:09.83).

Schade followed his strong performance in the medley with a victory in the 500-yard freestyle event in 4:35.10 as fellow Tiger junior Brandon Ress came in second (4:36.32).

“Our relays performed very well, which I was very proud of,” Mead said. “Nick Breschi turned in great swims in the 100 and 200 back and was critical on our relays.”

Junior Nick Breschi won the 100-yard backstroke event (50.34) with Senior Matt Hans finishing third (52.47) and then in the 200-yard breastroke Breschi claimed victory again (1:52.16) followed by freshmen Zach Bishop in second (1:54.53).

Towson will look to build on their impressive weekend as they head to George Washington for another dual meet Nov. 7.

“Overall it was a very good effort by everyone and our freshmen are performing better and contributing in the meets now,” Mead said. “I am confident our meet at George Washington will be another great opportunity for some outstanding performances.”

Following its meet against George Washington, Towson will travel to Pittsburgh to participate in a two day meet against the Panthers, a crucial meet for the Tigers who look to conclude their regular season on a strong note.   

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