By Luke McGuire, Swimming World College Intern
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Landmark Conference swimming action kicked off with a bang this past Saturday, November 1, though some teams have been competing since mid-October. Competing in the Landmark on the men’s side this season are the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the Catholic University of America, Susquehanna University, Marywood University, the University of Scranton, Goucher College, Drew University, and Elizabethtown College. All eight schools will also compete on the women’s side, as will Juniata College.
The Susquehanna and Catholic teams are each 1-0. The two will put their undefeated conference records on the line on Sunday, November 9, when they meet in Washington, D.C. Six of the other seven teams were also in action recently, hoping to build some momentum for the rest of the season with strong performances on the men’s and women’s sides.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy
Although the men and women have yet to compete this season – their first meet is the USMMA Memorial Invite that they’re hosting on November 22 – this is a team that returns a lot of talented swimmers. The men finished 20th at NCAAs last season and have won all seven Landmark Conference championships, and were picked to win again in the Landmark’s preseason coaches’ poll. On the men’s side, senior Kevin Lindgren is coming off an NCAA runner-up finish in the 200-yard backstroke, and was also an All-American in the 100 back and 200 IM last season. Sophomore Stone Hewitt finished 20 at NCAAs in the 100 breast last season. For the women, fifth at last season’s Landmark Conference meet, five All-Conference performers are back, led by senior diver Elizabeth Jackson.
The Catholic University of America
CUA swam its first conference meet of the season at Marywood University on November 1, and both the men and women came away with wins. The men, picked to finish second in the preseason poll after a third-place finish last season, were led by sophomores Joe Cihak and Guido Saccaggi. Cihak won the 50 free in 22.46 and the 100 free in 49.18, while Saccaggi won the 1000 free in 10:40.88 and the 500 free in 5:03.37. For the women, sophomore Christine Loughery – the Landmark Conference Swimmer of the Week on October 20 – won the 200 free (2:04.73) and 100 butterfly (1:05.04), and freshman Rachel Chain won the 100 back (1:04.07) and 100 free (57.69).
Susquehanna University
The Susquehanna men and women collected wins in their first conference meet of the season against Elizabethtown on Saturday. The men’s team, runner-up at last year’s conference meet, was led by Landmark Conference Swimmer of the Week Eric Lawrence (So.), who won the 200 backstroke (2:01.60) and 100 breaststroke (1:05.23), while also clocking the fastest 200 IM time (2:04.73). The Susquehanna women received strong performances from Lexi Cole (Sr.) in the 100 back (1:04.31) and 500 free (5:23.64), while Annie Bruxelles (Sr.) and Joann Butkus (Fr.) each claimed two individual wins.
Marywood University
Marywood opened its Landmark Conference season with losses to Catholic, but the team has performed well in its five dual meets this season. This week, the Pacers picked up wins from Zack Haney (Sr.) in the 200 free (1:48.55), 200 back (2:03.80), and 200 IM (2:04.53). The women picked up three wins from Kim Petersen (Jr.), who captured the 100 breast (1:13.50), 200 breast (2:40.70), and 200 IM (2:26.41).
Scranton University
Scranton hosted Dickinson College in a non-conference meet on Sunday, but both the men and women came up short. The men were led by junior Grant Owens, who won the 50 free (22.47) and 100 free (50.13), and freshman Joseph Vanucci, who won the 200 IM in 2:08.71. Senior Paige Agnello won the 100 (1:09.52) and 200 breaststrokes (2:33.26) and freshman Raquel Wasserman won the 50 free (24.80) and 100 fly (1:01.20) for the Scranton women.
Goucher College
The Goucher Gophers competed in a non-conference tri-meet this weekend, with the men beating Marymount University but falling to St. Mary’s (MD). The Gophers were led by juniors Colin and Morgan Richter, who each turned in two wins. Colin won the 400 IM (4:25.46) and 200 back (2:02.68), while Morgan won the 200 free (1:49.72) and 200 fly (2:00.98). The women came up short against both teams, but first-places by freshman Alexis Regopoulos in the 500 free (5:27.28) and 1000 free (11:09.02) earned her Conference Swimmer of the Week honors.
Drew University
This weekend, the Drew Rangers visited non-conference opponent Mount St. Mary in New York, and despite 11 combined first-places, came away with losses. Sophomore Logan Amodio starred for the men, winning the 200 IM (2:11.70), 200 fly (2:09.17), and 1000 free (11:41.07). For the women, Jenny Stein (Fr.) was first to the wall in the 100 back (1:05.94) and 50 free (26.56).
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown College, in its first year in the Landmark Conference after exiting the MAC Conference, began its conference season with losses to Susquehanna. Kimberly Cosgrove, a graduate student, provided the lone victory for Elizabethtown with an 11:30.24 in the 1000 free. Kieran Koehler paced the men’s team with second-place finishes in the 100 (1:07.18) and 200 breaststroke (2:31.92).
Juniata College
The Juniata College women finished third this weekend at the Chatham Invite behind Mansfield and Chatham. Three women recorded wins for Juniata: Tzvia Cahn (Jr.) won the 50 free in 26.48, Megan Swavely (Sr.) touched first in the 50 back (28.90), and Krista Peachey (Fr.) won the 200 fly in 2:34.15.
Coming Up
This weekend, seven of the Landmark teams will compete in conference meets. On Saturday, Goucher hosts Juniata and Scranton, and Marywood hosts Drew. On Sunday, Susquehanna will visit Catholic hoping to avoid a repeat of last season’s 132-130 home loss on the men’s side, after beating the Cardinals by just four points (577-573) at conferences in February. In non-conference action, Drew will host Montclair State on Friday, and Marywood will host Cabrini on Sunday.
Luke McGuire is a junior IM/breaststroker at the Catholic University of America. Prior to joining CUA, McGuire trained with the Devon Manor Swim Team as well as the Lower Paxton Aquatic Club.
Luke McGuire is my hero. He will be the best analyst/lawyer ever.