By Kelsey Lynch, Swimming World College Intern
The A-10 Conference closed its 2014-2015 season in February with a bang. The University of Massachusetts men’s team won the men’s Atlantic 10 Championship title this year, and the University of Richmond women took home the trophy on the women’s side.
The A-10 Championships were held from Feb. 18-21 at Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. There were stand-out performances and records broken, but perhaps the most noteworthy accomplishment for a team was the performance of the Massachusetts’s Men’s Swimming and Diving team.
The Atlantic 10 predicted that St. Bonaventure’s men would defend their title for a third year, but on the last day, Massachusetts stole the title. Massachusett’s women claimed second for an all-round impressive championship performance from the school.
A-10 MEN
St. Bonaventure and Massachusetts’ men’s teams foreshadowed a tough competition between the two teams as they were tied for points after the relays on day one. Massachusetts’ men’s 800-yard freestyle relay (6:31.86) stepped up to the first place podium after an exceptional comeback from Alessandro Bomprezzi as the anchor.
St. Bonaventure finished second (6:33.55) behind Massachusetts in the 800-yard freestyle relay and took first (1:28.86) in the 200-yard medley relay with Massachusetts in second (1:29.72). Bomprezzi set A-10 records in the 500-yard freestyle (4:19.75) and the 1,650-yard freestyle (15.13.69) and took second in the 200-yard freestyle (1:37.56).
The Bonnies’ Medley relays were strong this year, as they also took first in the 400-yard medley relay (3:12.90) and set a new A-10 meet record in the process. After day two, Bonaventure’s breaststrokers led with first and second places on the podium.
Matthew Goettler (54.85) and Preston Schilling (54.93) both earned NCAA “B” qualifying times. Michael Pilyugin set a new A-10 record in the 100-yard backstroke (47.27) at prelims and won the event that night (47.30).
Alex Marra, St. Bonaventure’s top male diver, won the 1-meter (278.05) and placed second in the 3-meter (305.55).
George Mason’s Travis Lauri set the A-10 record in the 100-yard butterfly (47.86) while also grabbing an NCAA ‘B’ cut to win the event.
A consistent performer all season long, St. Louis’ freshman Ryan McCoy (multiple A-10 Rookie Award winner) won the 200-yard freestyle (1:37.11) and helped SLU’s 400-yard freestyle relay (2:56.99) team to earn the gold.
The Bonnies placed second behind Massachusetts’ this year for men’s A-10 Championships with George Mason in third and La Salle’s men in fourth.
Photo Courtesy: Atlantic 10
A-10 Women
Richmond’s women claimed yet another A-10 Conference title. This is the Spider’s fifth consecutive title and their 13th win in 14 years. The Spiders were behind by just two points leading into the final day of the meet, but came back to sweep the meet with 586 points, while Massachusetts seized second with 498 points.
On the last day, Richmond’s distance swimmers shined bright with Emma Terwilliger, Meredith Gouger and Molly McSweeney taking third, fourth and fifth, respectively. Also aiding in their final-day fire was Melissa Ross earning first place in the 200-yard butterfly (2:00.24) just out-touching George Mason’s Madison Baker (2:00.49).
Kelley Yang (53.65) broke her own 100-yard butterfly record from 2013 and earned an NCAA ‘B’ cut. Freshman Annie Lane (Multiple A-10 Rookie of the Week Award winner) won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:02.61) and second in the 200-yard freestyle (1:49.39).
Massachusetts women’s divers played an essential role in their points rack-up. The top four spots and five of the top six spots in the 1-meter were claimed by Massachusetts’ freshman Emma Roush in first (268.35).
For the 3-meter, Massachusetts’ women yet again all performed outstandingly well and claimed four of the top five spots in the event; Roush placed second (287.20) in the event and Richmond’s Irina Chiulli (two-time A-10 Performer of the Week) swept the event (314.60).
As predicted, Davidson showed some of the best swimmers in the meet this year. Right away on day one, their women’s 800-yard freestyle relay (7:16.81) won the event to also set new conference and pool records. Davidson’s top freestyle Elise Lankiewicz led the women’s team winning all three of her individual freestyle events (100-yard, 200-yard, 500-yard freestyles) and helped all three of the relays (200-yard, 400-yard and 800-yard freestyles) she was on claim gold medals.
Massachusetts’ women took second place behind Richmond this year overall, Duquesne took third and A-10 rookie Davidson placed fourth for women’s swimming and diving.
Atlantic 10 Conference Awards
Men’s A-10 Swimming & Diving Awards
Most Outstanding Performer: Alessandro Bomprezzi, Massachusetts
Most Outstanding Rookie Performer: Ryan McCoy, Saint Louis
Most Outstanding Diver: Alex Marra, St. Bonaventure
A-10 Women’s Swimming & Diving Awards
Most Outstanding Performer: Elise Lankiewicz, Davidson
Most Outstanding Rookie Performer: Annie Lane, Richmond
Most Outstanding Diver: Irina Chiulli, Richmond
Women’s Coach of the Year: Dave Sheets, Duquesne
A-10 Coaching Honors
Men’s Coach of the Year: Russ Yarworth, Massachusetts
Diving Coach of the Year: Mandy Hixon, Massachusetts
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