The Lions' swimming and diving teams dominated over the Profs of Rowan University last Wednesday on "Senior Night," their last home meet of the season.
With a 151-83 win, the women's team ended a six-meet losing streak, while the men's team collected the 141-98 victory.
"The entire team really stepped it up," head coach Brian Bishop said. "It was a great team effort and everyone performed at a very high level."
Leading the Lions women once again as a triple-winner was senior tri-captain Erin Stutz. Picking up the first-place finish in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:15.67, Stutz also tallied first-place wins in the 200 butterfly in 2:12.14 and in the 500 freestyle in 5:23.84.
Junior diver Lee Swanson remained on top after claiming first in the one-and three-meter events with scores of 260.40 and 270.10. Swanson was also named the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Diver of the Week.
"I think that we really tore it up; our adrenaline was ridiculous and we have a really tough competition with them," sophomore Ava Kiss said. "We really came together as a team and I am proud of us."
Kiss was the Lions' second triple-winner of the day, as she placed first in the 100 freestyle (54.64), the 200 freestyle (1:58.01) and was part of the 400 medley relay. Also part of the relay team were sophomore Lauren Breslin, freshman Emily Reichard and senior Beth Hurley.
"I felt I did alright," Kiss said. "It was one of those pools where you feel faster than you actually go."
Reichard was also a triple-winner for the Lions. After helping in the 400 medley relay, Reichard also took first in the 200 backstroke (2:16.18) and in the 200 breaststroke (2:31.74).
The men's team captured first place in every event against Rowan. Freshman diver Greg Lloyd once again took first in the one-meter (283.90) and three-meter (313.75) events. Lloyd was also named ECAC Division III Diver of the Week.
"I thought I did pretty well and it feels good to win the 'Diver of the Week,'" Lloyd said. "I had never heard about it before, so I was just surprised to get it."
It was a banner evening for the Lions' seniors, as four took home first-place finishes. Senior Jeff Glenn triumphed in the 50 breaststroke (21.78) and in the 100 freestyle (47.15). Senior co-captain Scott Foglyano placed first in the 1,000 freestyle (10:30.27) and in the 500 freestyle (5:06.90).
Senior Glenn Sudol continued the trend, as he took first in 200 freestyle in 1:47.31. In the 200 breaststroke, senior co-captain Steve Swenson captured the win in 2:10.29.
"It was the last home meet for five of our guys so it was pretty emotional for all of us," Bishop said. "All of the guys performed very well and we couldn't have asked for a better send-off."
The Lions also split meets with the Violets of New York University on Sunday. The men's team defeated NYU 136-105 and the women's team fell to the Violets 148-92.
The previously undefeated NYU men's team had been ranked No. 1 by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America, while the College was ranked fifth. The win should definitely move the Lions up in the rankings.
Lloyd continued his streak, as he once again collected first place in both the one- (282.52) and three-meter (321.52) events. Lloyd's three-meter dive broke a school record originally set by Ray Lewis in 1995 with a score of 319.15.
Glenn was once again a double-winner, picking up first place in both the 50 (21.80) and 100 (47.21) freestyles, while Swenson defeated all opponents in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:10.55. Sophomore Liam Gallagher also collected first swimming in the 200 breaststroke in 1:58.94.
On the women's side, Kiss was a double-winner in the 200 freestyle (1:59.34) and the 100 freestyle (55.58). Swanson also captured first in the three-meter diving event with a score of 275.70.
"I think that we need to just keep training the way we are now and then when it comes time to taper, then I think that is when we'll see the results we want," Kiss said. "We've been working our asses off all year and we should see the improvement within the next week or two."
The Lions will travel to Wayne to face William Paterson University on Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.
