The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams were equally successful this past weekend, as both were victorious over Rowan University and Stevens Institute of Technology. With the two wins, the men’s squad improved their overall record to 8-2, while the women’s squad remains undefeated at a perfect 9-0.
The women’s swimming and diving team was impressive, as they defeated Rowan by a score of 179-117. The win allowed the women to clinch their third NJAC title, while continuing one of the best seasons the women’s program has had.
Senior Margaret Molloy had a spectacular meet, securing wins in two individual events. Molloy took first in the 1000-freestyle with a time of 10:44.57 and the 100-butterfly with a time of 1:00.37.
Junior Laura Pierce continued her impressive season by winning the 200-butterfly in 2:09.56. Freshman Ashley Conroy placed first in the 100-backstroke with a time of 1:00.78. Sophomore Jennifer Zavoda added to the flurry of blue ribbons, with a win in the 200-yard freestyle posting a time of 1:58.15.
Freshman Sabrina Lucchesi led the way on the diving board with wins in the one-meter and three-meter diving events. Lucchesi posted scores of 277.58 and 295.05 in her two victories.
The men’s squad defeated Rowan by a score of 179-110, clinching their third straight NJAC title. The squad received outstanding play by the entire team, having 10 different swimmers winning individual events.
“We went into these meets with a lot of focus on the technical aspects of our races and getting excited as if these meets were a championship event since the regular season is over,” senior Shawn Kircher said.
With that said, the meet against Rowan was all about the Lion’s senior leadership. Pete Goldsmith captured the 1000-yard freestyle in a mere 10:03.20, while Tim Rauch chipped in by winning the 200-butterfly with a time of 2:03.41. Kircher tapped the wall first in the 200-freestyle posting a time of 1:44.04, and Tom Medvecky won the 100-yard fly finishing in 52.28. Finally, Joe Tseng exhibited dominance in the 200-IM, registering a winning time of 2:03.53.
On the diving board, junior TJ Burns placed first in the one-meter and three-meter diving events, fresh off his fifth NJAC Diver of the Week honor this season. Burns posted a score of 325.50 in the one-meter, and 333.53 in the three-meter.
“I swam well this meet, but I only did one individual event,” Medvecky said. “The team as a whole, however, swam smart and confident.”
On senior day against Stevens, the men dominated the pool in convincing fashion, winning 144-118.
Tseng and Kircher continued their success, as the pair led the Lions to victory. Tseng took down the backstroke events by winning the 100-yard in 53.29, and by winning the 200-yard in 1:55.78.
Kircher topped the field in the 100-freestyle in 47.24 and the 200-freestyle in 1:42.57.
“At this point in the season my race endurance has improved a lot, especially in my legs. We’ve done most of our physical training so now we’re focusing on fine-tuning our races,” Kircher said.
Other notable contributions belonged to Medvecky who won the 100-yard butterfly in 51.12, and sophomore Adam Schneider who won the 50-freestyle posting a time of 21.06. Freshman Phillip Hawley had a pair of second place finishes, as he finished behind Kircher in the 100-freestyle and Tseng in the 100-backstroke.
Likewise, the women defeated Stevens 146-116, completing the perfect 2010-11 regular season.
In the process, Pierce entered the school’s record books by winning the 50-freestyle event in 23.60. Pierce didn’t stop there, as she registered NCAA B-cut times in the 100-free style with a time of 51.75, and the 100-butterfly in 57.28.
Senior Katie Morgan celebrated Senior Day by posting a NCAA provisional time in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:24.28. Fellow senior Margaret Molloy took a trio of first-place finishes home. Molloy tasted victory in the 1000-freestyle (10:43.06), 500-freestyle (5:08.35), and 200-freestyle (1:55.00).
Sophomore Kayleigh Shangle shined throughout the meet, as she was victorious in the 100-freestyle, clocking in at 1:06.86.
With the conclusion of their regular seasons, the men’s and women’s squads will train hard the next three weeks in preparation for the Metropolitan Conference Championships at Rutgers University.
“I have improved in many different aspects, but the most important to me is the level of confidence,” Medvecky said. “Going into a race with no doubt that you can win is a tough skill to master. I have not mastered it, but I have improved dramatically.”
