By Emma Foster, Swimming World College Intern
On the first night of finals of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference relays ruled the night with close battles for both the women and the men in the 200 freestyle relay getting the excitement ramped up. The men’s event saw a photo finish with the teams of Saint Vincent College and Westminster College battling it out. Saint Vincent College’s team of Jacob Davis (21.80) Xander Emili (21.56) Matt Tashima (21.13) and Alex Bolen (20.83) were ultimately victorious with a time of 1:25.32. Westminster’s team of Michael Spencer (21.47) Daniel Bogen (21.62) Griffin Nincke (21.58) and Mitch Stahara (20.97) were a close second with a time of 1:25.64. Washington and Jefferson College’s team of Nicholas Willison (21.68) Kevin Dunigan (21.38) Matt Noel (22.08) and Gordy Schroeder (21.50) were third with a time of 1:26.64.
In the women’s event, Saint Vincent College’s team of Maddie Bartrug (24.87), Cassaundra Trudel (25.45) Marissa Frollo (23.51) and Ciara Lewis (24.09) came together for a final time of 1:37.92. They beat out Grove College who came in second with the team of Abby Jank (25.35) Maddie VanDyke (24.61) Megan Bilko (24.60) and Molly Gallant (23.71) putting together a time of 1:38.27. In third, Washington and Jefferson College’s team of Alexis Glenn (25.04) Rachel Nye (25.25) Laura Travers (24.53) and Madison Babicka (24.57) finished in 1:39.39.
Megan Bilko ran away with the win in the 500 free with a winning time of 5:01.33. Maddie Bartrug was second in 5:05.55, while Megan Smith was third in 5:07.63.
On the men’s side, Mitch Stahara won the event with a sizzling swim of 4:40.00. Cheyne Stresky was second in 4:42.39, while Jeremy Kim was a very close third with a time of 4:42.87.
Kelly Kramer decisively won the 200 IM with a time of 2:10.56. Megan Crutcher was second in 2:13.21, while Maddie VanDyke was third in 2:13.22.
Nick Kost threw down an impressive swim in the 200 IM with a time of 1:55.71 to win the event. A battle for second emerged with Xander Emili and Kevin Dunigan. Emili was ultimately victorious, posting a 1:56.62 to Dunigan’s 1:56.78.
In the quickest event of the night, Molly Gallant laid claim to the title in the women’s 50 free with a time of 23.76. Marissa Frollo was second in 23.91 while Ciara Lewis was third in 24.58.
Michael Spencer was victorious in the 50 free with a time of 21.17. Jordan Dehli was second in 21.53, while Nicholas Willison was third in 21.62.
On the diving side, Alexis Rectenwald of Chatham University won the women’s 1-meter with a point total of 484.35. Emily Hinso, her teammate, was second with 438.10 points while Kaitlyn Pawcio of Washington and Jefferson College was third with 398.85 points.
In the finals of the men’s 3-meter dive, Josh Vasco of Washington and Jefferson College won the event with a point total of 396.35. His teammate Isaac Penascino was second with 338.35. Carlos Barrett was third with 308.15 points.
To finish up the night, Westminster College’s team of Kelsey Reott (1:00.86) Samantha Tower (1:06.83) Megan Douds (57.57) and Anne Tillie (53.34) took the win in the women’s 400 medley relay with a final time of 3:58.60. Grove City College was second with a time of 4:00.01 and Saint Vincent College was a very close third with a time of 4:00.42.
On the men’s side, Grove City College’s team of Dane Hoselton (52.43) Timothy Bergquist (59.07) Rhys Dickhudt (50.73) Josiah Vehrs (47.83) won the event in 3:30.06. Washington and Jefferson College were second in 3:31.16, while Saint Vincent College’s team was third in 3:31.95.
The meet will continue with prelims taking off tomorrow morning at 10. Meet results can be found at Meet Mobile.
