After the UR’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams defeated Nazareth College Nov. 23, the Yellowjackets have been preparing for the UCAA Championship meet. The 146-89 victory over Nazareth moved the men to 2-2 on the year, and the women remained unbeaten, moving to 4-0, with a 134-105 win.
The men swam a strong meet, winning the first event — the 400-meter medley relay — and gaining a lead that they never let go. “It was exciting to see the men step up against Nazareth. They took control of the meet right away and never looked back,” said head coach Julie Benker-O’Brien.
Key men’s finishers were junior Brian Immerman and senior Mike Reinhardt. In relays and individual events Immerman and Reinhardt combined to contribute 58 of the team’s 146 points.
Immerman took first in the 100-meter freestyle, 800-meter freestyle and was a member of the winning 400 free relay. Reinhardt won the 200 free, 200 backstroke and was a member of the winning 400 medley relay.
On the women’s side, the meet was much closer than anticipated, but UR claimed the victory. “The Nazareth women came out and swam very well, so we were forced to change the line-up around to enure a win,” said Benker.
Senior Christina de Vries and freshman Carolyn Kenline both put in notable performances for the women’s squad.
De Vries finished first in the 100 free, the 800 free and pushed UR’s 400 free relay to victory. Kenline took first in the 50 free and the 400 free. She also aided in the second place finish in UR’s 400 medley relay.
On Friday and Saturday, UR will host the UCCA Championship meet in the Speegle-Wilbraham Aquatic Complex. “We’re really excited to be hosting the UCAA Championship, and because the top 16 finishers score, the meet will provide more people with the opportunity to score,”said Benker.
The competition will be solid up and down the line. With very strong performances both teams can place in the top three.
The men are in the middle of the field, and if they turn in solid times, third place is not out of the question. Look for the men to put it on the line, but unless they achieve greatness, fourth place will most likely be their destiny.
The women will be shooting for the top spot and will see their biggest competition in a well-rounded Hamilton College squad. “Hamilton is a very solid team, and the meet will be hard fought,” said Benker. That said, the meet should be tight, but anything less than a second place finish will leave the women quite disappointed.
