Tribe dominates, prepares for CAAs

While other College students relaxed over winter break, the Tribe men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams trained hard and finished their regular seasons against tough competitors.

p. “This year, William and Mary was the team to beat … our team stepped up and many individuals were able to put up some unbelievably fast times against our opponents,” sophomore Jason Brisson said.

p. The men’s team defeated the College of Charleston 122-105, improving to 6-1 and securing a winning season. Sophomore Jeff Collier and junior Brandon Paster recorded dual wins. Both the 200-meter free relay team of freshmen Joe DeBiase and Kevin Gallagher, junior Alex Jendzejec and senior Nick Duda, and sophomore Shawn Matthews grabbed wins.

p. The women’s team dominated, winning 152-80 and improving to 6-2.

p. “We hadn’t even been back home after ten-day standard training in North Palm Beach. They did a great job with racing,” Head Coach McGee Moody said.

p. The 200-m medley relay team, consisting of junior Meredith David, senior captains Kelly Reitz and Marnie Rognlien and freshman Erin Welshofer, began the meet with a two minute, 3.31 second victory. Marina Falcone finished with two wins, in the 200 free (2:07.93) and 400 free (4:29.17), as did freshman Katie Radloff in the 50 (27.11) and 100 (57.89) freestyles.

p. Also victorious were David, Welshofer, Reitz, freshmen Jill Hamilton and Suzanne Figuers, Reitz and the 200 free relay team of Radloff, sophomore Sara Fitzsimmons, David and junior Christina Monsees (1:52.13). Junior Meg O’Connor won the 1-m in diving with 202.42 and sophomore Samantha Greenwood took the 3-m with 190.57.

p. In the Jan. 20 competition against the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and Davidson College, the men were defeated by the Seahawks, 110.5-187.5, but tied with Davidson at 147 to improve to 6-2-1. Brisson, named CAA Swimmer of the Week, totaled five victories, defeating both schools in 200 breast (2:10.72) and 400 IM (4:13.52). Duda earned three wins against Davidson in the 200 free (1:46.10), 50 free (21.84) and 100 free (47.76), while Collier won against both opposing teams in the 500 free (4:44.65).

p. The women’s team fell to UNCW 145-155 but snatched a decisive win from Davidson, 216-83, improving to 7-3. Radloff, named CAA Swimmer of the Week, led the Tribe with eight victories in four events, taking wins against both teams in the 50 free (24.06), 100 free (51.59), 100 back (58.66) and in the 400 free relay with Fitzsimmons, Falcone and Rognlien (3:31.42).

p. “I don’t think there’s anyone of [Radloff’s] caliber anywhere else in the conference. We’re very lucky to have her,” Coach Moody said.

p. Falcone, Rognlien, David, Reitz, Welshofer and freshman Courtney Alles all finished with additional wins.

p. The women faced the University of Richmond but lost to the Spiders 146.5-153.5. Collecting dual wins were O’Connor, Radloff and Falcone. Freshman Tage Waite earned the ninth-fastest time in school history in the 1,000 free (10:40.07) and Figuers took the seventh-best time in the 400 individual medley (4:36.19).

p. The final home meet, against James Madison University, ended in a 137-152 loss for the Tribe (6-3-1), the emotional event marking the last meet ever for the long-time rival JMU men’s team. Collecting wins were Collier in the 1,000 free (9:47.64) and 500 free (4:46.67), Brisson in the 100 breast (59.53), Matthews in the 200 back (1:54.39), Duda in the 200 free (1:45.04), DeBiase, Gallagher, Duda and Matthews in the 400 free relay (3:12.10), senior Peter King in the 200 fly (1:59.41) and Brisson and David Mangini tied for first in the 400 individual medley (4:17.12).

p. “There were a few very close races in the sprints that if they had gone our way, could have led to a different outcome,” senior captain Joey Peterson said.

p. The women trumped JMU 180.5-109.5 in the final meet, improving to 8-4. Radloff was victorious in three events, the 50 free (23.75), 100 free (51.42), and 200 free (1:51.63). David, Reitz, Welshofer and Rognlien took the 200 medley relay (1:48.67) and David took the 100 back (59.36) and 200 back (2:07.14), while Reitz swept the 100-yard (1:05.85) and 200-yard (2:22.56) breaststrokes. O’Connor, Alles, sophomore Whitney Pezza and Falcone all finished with wins.

p. “This year, both the men’s and women’s teams have a chance to do something that has never been done before. We are both in great positions to have some awesome swims and take home some medals,” Brisson said.

p. Both teams will be back in action at the CAA Championships Feb. 14 to 17.

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