Brandeis University visited UR on Nov. 19 before Thanksgiving break. The men’s and the women’s swimming and diving teams were able to fight their ways to victories over the visiting team.
Men’s Swimming and Diving
The men’s swimming and diving team squeezed past the competition with a 164-130 win over Brandeis before leaving for Thanksgiving break. The team evened its record to 3-3 with the win.
The highlight of the meet was senior Ted Elton’s performance in the three-meter board. Not only did he claim first place, but he also broke the school record with a score of 260.
Elton culminated his performance with a win on the one-meter board as well, capping off a great day for the diver.
Junior Zach Freed was another athlete to put forth a solid performance against Brandeis. Freed was able to claim an outstanding four victories for the team. He won the 200-yard freestyle, 200-yard fly and the 400-yard individual medley. Freed was also a part of the winning 200-yard free relay.
Joining Freed on the winners block for the 200-yard free relay were teammates junior Anthony Furstoss and freshmen Daniel Shepherd and Ryan White.
White was able to boast another victory in the 100-yard backstroke and swam to a close second in the 500-yard free.
First place victories were claimed by three other men in the team. Freshman Bruce Maki won the long 1000-yard free and junior Craig Matt took another distance event, the 500-yard free. Also, sophomore Jonathon Dennison won the 200-yard backstroke.
The men will swim again this Friday and Saturday at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in the Liberty League Championships.
Women’s Swimming and Diving
The women were just as successful as the men against Brandeis. They won by a comfortable 260-238 margin, making their record 4-2. Many members of the team took first place in their events, along with two relays.
Putting the most points on the board was junior Kari Joyce. She took first place in both the 100-yard and the 200-yard backstroke. Sophomore Becky Fallon and freshman Megan Savoury followed Joyce in both events, giving the Yellowjackets a 1,2,3 finish in both backstroke events.
Joyce was also a member of a winning exhibition relay, along with junior Michele Gruen, freshman Jill Endres and senior Erin Szajta. The four women set a record of 1:44.70 in the 200-yard freestyle relay.
Many further wins were recorded by the Yellowjackets. Gruen swam the long 1000, taking first place easily. She also dominated the 100-yard free.
Sophomore Danielle Scherry posted a strong 200-yard free performance. In addition, she conquered the 200-yard fly and the 200-yard free, further improving her record for the year.
Two other women were able to take first place in their events, giving the team even more points against their opponents. Endres won the 50-yard free and junior Mary Carol Karl took the 200-yard breaststroke.
On the diving end of things, senior Patricia McHale won the one-meter board.
The women travel with the men this weekend to RPI. The Liberty League Championships should be a great place for both teams to show off their great talents.
Myers can be reached at smyers@campustimes.org.
