As most teams head into final exams and break, and some are already on training trip, a few NCAA Division III teams stepped up to the blocks this weekend for the final meet of the first semester.
Ursinus’ NCAA Possibilities Emerge
This weekend Ursinus continued the Invite action, racing at the three session Golden Ram Classic at West Chester University.
Ursinus (#18 women) returns three of their six NCAA qualifiers from last year: Clara Baker, Peyton Lyons, and Sophie May.
This weekend Baker finished second in the 100 fly (56.09) and 200 fly (2:06.05), and was a member of four runner-up relays.
Lyons was ninth in the 200 IM (2:12.07) behind eight West Chester swimmers, fourth in the 100 back (58.76), and sixth in the 200 back (2:08.76). None of those times near her NCAA Invite worthy bests.
Sophomore May, who last year was a relay only swimmer, was the team’s leading backstroker, finishing third in the 200 (2:05.36) and 100 (58.66) and runner up in the 50 free (24.06).
Freshman Katie Schultz was runner up in the mile (17:10.54), fifth in the 500 (5:06.34), and sixth in the 400 IM (4:39.80). That mile is in the likely range for an NCAA Invite.
For the men, sophomore Mikey Prior posted a 1:53.59 200 back. Junior Jake Menzer was third in the 500 free (4:41.39) and sixth in the 1650 (16:39.81).
WPI Men Sprint to Upset Tufts, Williams
Photo Courtesy: WPI Athletics
In a quad dual meet on Saturday between three NESCAC teams (Wesleyan, Tufts, Williams) and the NEWMAC’s WPI, the teams skipped the 1000 in favor of all of the 50s of stroke, and also chose the 400 IM over the 200 IM. While not a typical dual meet lineup, the results of the meet could have implications for this week’s CSCAA Poll, due out Wednesday.
Powered by their depth in the shorter events, the currently unranked WPI men beat #18 Williams by a single point, while #11 Tufts lost to both squads. On the women’s side, Williams (#5) was more impressive than they’ve been so far this season, with top end speed and depth across events.
In a preview of likely NESCAC showdowns, Williams’ Maia Hare outtouched Tufts’ Sasha Fong 25.79 to 25.95 to win the 50 fly.
Molly Craig led a one through seven finish for the Ephs in the 500 free with her 5:03.27. She also won the 400 IM, clocking a 4:25.18, well under the 2018 NCAA invited time. In the 200 fly she was first to the wall in 2:07.58.
Williams sophomore Laura Westphal fired off a 1:52.71 200 freestyle to win the event by nearly five seconds. She also won the 100 free in 52.81.
Her teammate Caroline White swept the breaststrokes in 30.25, 1:05.07 and 2:21.01.
The WPI men went one-two in the 50 fly with Tucker Besch (22.50) and Jackson Perry (22.76). Perry and Besch were one-two in the 100 fly as well in 50.99 and 51.33, respectively. Their senior teammate Jack Bauer posted a 50.71 to win the 100 back.
Jamie Lovette topped the 500 free in 4:41.62 just ahead of fellow Eph sophomore Jackson Karofsky (4:43.05). Karofsky added a 400 IM victory (4:07.82).
Tufts picked up a victory from Roger Gu in the 50 free (20.23). He added another one with a 1:42.89 200 free, just out touching Lovette (1:42.94). Gu swept the shortest freestyles with a 46.30 in the 100.
Team scores men:
WPI 151 vs. Williams 150
WPI 245 vs. Wesleyan 63
Williams 236 vs. Wesleyan 64
WPI 157 vs. Tufts 148
Williams 170.5 vs. Tufts 121.5
Tufts 243 vs. Weslyan 62
Team scores women:
Williams 242 vs. WPI 73
WPI 169 vs. Wesleyan 145
Williams 239 vs. Wesleyan 73
Tufts 237 vs. WPI 84
Williams 214.5 vs. Tufts 104.5
Tufts 234 vs. Wesleyan 80
Big Green Too Big For D III Bates
In a tough weekend to step back up and compete, the Bates Bobcats (#24 women) fell to both Division I Dartmouth squads.
Senior Alex Bedard had the lone victory of the day, winning the 200 breaststroke by less than a tenth, getting to the wall in 2:11.22.
Freshman Maya Reynoso-Williams posted a 1:55.74 to finish second in the 200 free. Her classmate Daniel Waterland was runner up in the 200 back (1:57.06).
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Congratulations
WPI was suited lol