As the swimming and diving teams said farewell to their senior teammates this weekend, they ended the year in a big way. The meet was the last dual meet of the season, at home against the Ithaca College Bombers.
The senior farewells were sincere and heartfelt and the message was clear – they will be truly missed. However, the rest of the team is ready to step up and continue on with their winning ways in the year to come.
Women’s Swimming and Diving
The women finished off a great season, defeating the Bombers 128-115, with the women taking at least third in every event. The win gives the women an impressive 9-2 record for the season.
There were three double winners in the meet, sophomore Danielle Scherry, junior Kari Joyce and senior Patricia McHale. Scherry obliterated the competition in both the 1,000-yard freestyle and the 500-yard free, showing that she is a true champion.
Joyce also had a great day in the pool. She won both the 50-yard free and the 100-yard free.
McHale had another strong showing on the boards, mirroring the rest of her season. She dominated the competition, winning both the one-meter board and the three-meter board.
Following the footsteps of her teammates, junior Michelle Gruen placed second in an outstanding three events. She excelled in the 1,000-yard free, the 500-yard free and the 200-yard free.
Junior Karen Gromer had a great day, winning the 200-yard fly and taking fourth in the 200-yard individual medley, right behind her teammate, senior Kathryn Monti.
Monti further displayed her skills in the 100-yard free, taking second behind teammate Joyce.
The 200-yard free relay displayed UR’s great talent, with Monti, freshman Jill Endres, Gromer and Joyce taking first.
Men’s Swimming and Diving
The men’s swimming and diving team finished off the season in a dramatic fashion. They took second or higher in every event of the day, defeating the Bombers with a score of 138-93. Their overall record for dual meets is 5-5.
As with the women, there were three double winners this weekend. Junior Craig Matt, freshman Bruce Maki and senior Ted Elton all had great success in their events.
Elton capped off a remarkable career by winning both the one-meter board and the three-meter boards. His teammate, freshman David Mitsche, gave UR second place on both boards.
Matt has similar success in his events, winning both the 200-yard IM and the 100 -yard free.
The Yellowjackets’ third double winner of the meet, Maki, destroyed all of the competition in the distance races. He won the 1,000-yard free and the 500-yard free.
Freshmen Dan Shephard and Ryan White were two more first place finishers. Shephard won the short 50-yard free, and White dominated in the 200-yard backstroke.
Sophomore Jonathan Dennison took three second places during the meet, swimming strong and coming up right behind teammate Matt in the 200-yard IM and the 100-yard free. He was also third in the 200-yard breaststroke.
This great meet was concluded with the 400-yard free relay. Dennison, Shepherd, Matt and junior Zach Freed showed their muscle and won the event.
Myers can be reached at smyers@campustimes.org.
