The College’s women’s swimming and diving team pulled out a victory against the William Paterson Pioneers on Saturday, Jan. 21. The Lions’ seniors led the way, winning every event they competed in, and finishing the meet with a final score of 195-92.
Senior Traci Hofer continued her successful season, finishing first in the 100-yard backstroke with a finishing time of 1:03.32. On top of that, she swam on the winning relay teams for the 200-medley and 200-freestyle events.
Other seniors with first-place finishes were Amanda Waldner, who won the 100-freestyle event with a time of 51.37; Kelsey Herchenrider, who took first in the 100-breaststroke (1:12.47) and Danielle Morrone, who won the 100-butterfly event (1:01.46). Waldner also competed on the first-place 200-medley and 200-freestyle teams.
To cap off the victory, sophomore Sabrina Lucchesi, the NJAC Diver of the Week, prevailed in two diving events, with final scores of 286.65 in the 1-meter dive and 301.35 in the 3-meter dive.
The men’s swimming and diving team also topped the Pioneers with a decisive score, posting a 183-99 final. The Lions won all events but one (the 200-meter backstroke), and like the women’s team, the men also received a big push from their seniors.
Senior Jesse Taylor took part in the 200-free relay team that won with a finishing time of 1:30.27 and finished first in the 50-freestyle, and senior Jeff Capone finished first in the 200-fly with a winning time of 2:10.96. Fellow senior and four-time NJAC Diver of the Week, T.J. Burns, won both diving events with final scores of 327.45 and 347.92 in the 1-meter and 3-meter events.
This will be the Lions’ last weekend of competition before they compete in the Metropolitan Conference Championships. The Lions’ next meet will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. against Rowan in Packer Hall, where they will look to lock up the NJAC title.
“We are starting our taper in a couple weeks, so we will be well rested and ready to go for our final meet (METS) at the end of February,” Taylor said. “Going into our meet against Rowan this weekend we are trying to keep the same mindset that has carried us through our season so far. We’re going to be focused on our final goals for the season and ready to race.”
