By Nelson Helm, Swimming World College Intern
LEXINGTON – Only a handful of Old Dominion Athletic Conference swimming dual meets happen this week, with the majority of teams still swimming non-conference of opponents. Greensboro, Sweet Briar and Bridgewater are swimming in a tri-meet against each other and Randolph-Macon takes on Hampden-Sydney and Bridgewater. ODAC members Emory and Henry, Washington and Lee, Notre Dame (Md.) and Hollins all compete against non-conference teams.
Looking Back
Last week saw Washington and Lee compete against Sweet Briar and Hampden-Sydney. W&L won both meets 137-63 and 139-51, respectively. Sophomore John Womack led the Generals to a sweep of Hampden-Sydney while sophomore Mara Tynan helped the Generals defeat Sweet Briar. Womack won the 800 free (9:18.01) and the 400 free (4:27.13) while Tynan won the 800 free (10:03.49) and posted the top time in the 200 IM (2:41.33). The 200-meter medley relay of junior Stephanie Foster, senior Caroline Hamp, freshman Katie Gardner and sophomore Emily Rollo set the pool record in a time of 2:06.27.
Emory and Henry competed against Sweet Briar and Guilford, defeating Sweet Briar 164-41 and Guilford 167-22. E&H sophomores Allison Fowler and Michaela Nolte each won two events for the Wasps. Fowler won the 200-meter IM (2:33.81) and the 100 fly (1:09.73), while Nolte won the 100 freestyle (1:02.76) and the 100 breaststroke (1:20.45). Nolte was also a part of the winning 200-meter medley relay (2:12.14), while Fowler was a part of the winning 200-meter freestyle relay (1:57.02).
Randolph-Macon men dropped a narrow decision to Mary Washington, losing 104-97, while the women lost 135-56. Leading the way for the Yellow Jackets were freshman Samuel Kauppert and senior Bobby Brajdic who each won an event and placed second in another. Kauppert won the 100 free (49.31) and placed second in the 50 free (22.72), while Brajdic won the 200 IM (1:59.77) and placed second in the 200 back (1:57.01). On the women’s side, freshman Rachel Samuelson won the 200 fly in a time of 2:22.48. Randolph-Macon also competed against St. Mary’s (Md.). The women’s team lost 132-70, while the men’s team won 113-87. Emily Plowman led the women’s team, helping them win the 200 free relay (1:45.45) and placing second in the 50 (26.29) and 100 freestyle (1:04.17). Brajdic again had a good meet for the Yellow Jackets, placing first in the 200 free (1:47.91) and 100 back (53.99). He was also a member of the 200 medley relay team that placed first (1:40.13).
Emory and Henry
Emory and Henry will need Nolte and Fowler to help secure a win. Nolte is a threat in the breaststrokes along with sprint freestyles. Last year, Nolte posted NCAA B cuts in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes (1:05.49/2:22.81) at the ODAC Championships. Fowler dominates in butterfly and IM events. She also posted NCAA B cut times last year, with hers coming in the 200 fly (2:07.81) and 400 IM (4:33.74).
Randolph-Macon
The Yellow Jackets will rely on sophomores Mohamad Saleh and Robert Redenz for wins in the sprint freestyle and breaststroke events. Saleh has the second-ranked time in the ODAC in the 50 and 100 freestyles (21.87/48.11). Redenz has the top-ranked time in the ODAC in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes (102.61/2:19.47).
Washington and Lee
The Generals will look for their freshmen class to make an impact when they swim Carnegie Mellon and Alleghany on the road. A freshman to watch will be Noah Schammel, who will add depth in butterfly and IM events. Schammel’s top times in the 100 and 200 flys (53.78/1:59.88) are ranked first in the ODAC.
On the women’s side, the team will be led by freshman Kira Tomenchok to help secure a victory. Tomenchok will help score points in backstroke and IM events. Tomenchok’s times in the 100 back (1:00.89), 200 back (2:12.63), and 200 IM (2:21.25) rank her first and second in the ODAC.
Hampden-Sydney
Hampden-Sydney should see sophomore Ryan Mitchell scoring points against Randolph-Macon. Mitchell holds the school records in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyles (52.17/1:54.37/5:08.25), the 200 breaststroke (2:24.62), and the 200 and 400 IM (2:07.09/4:36.59).
Bridgewater
Bridgewater junior Emily Townsend is the top returner after earning All-ODAC honors a season ago. Townsend garnered a third-team All-ODAC selection last year after she placed fifth in the 200 breaststroke (2:35.10)
Notre Dame
Notre Dame (Md.) junior Emily Jordan will look to help the Gators score points in their first dual meet action of the season. Jordan placed seventh last year in the ODAC championships in the 200 breaststroke (2:37.56).
Hollins
Hollins will look towards junior Claire Webber to lead the team. Webber returns to the pool after a year off. In 2013, Webber placed fourth in the 200 breaststroke (2:34.20) to garner Second Team All-ODAC honors.
Schedule
November 12: Hollins vs Ferrum
November 14: Emory & Henry vs Ferrum, King (Tenn.)
November 15: Washington and Lee at Carnegie Mellon, Alleghany; Bridgewater vs Greensboro, Sweet Briar; Notre Dame of Maryland at New Rochelle, John Jay
ODAC Swimmers of the Week
The ODAC named Randolph-Macon senior Bobby Brajdic and Emory and Henry sophomore Allison Fowler this weeks Swimmers of the Week based off of their performances during the week of Nov. 3-Nov. 10.
Nelson Helm is a sophomore distance freestyle specialist at Washington & Lee. Helm has trained with Carter Center Aquatics as well as the Stonegate Swim Club.