West Virginia Wins 28 of 32 Events in Sweep of Villanova
The West Virginia Mountaineers hosted Villanova Saturday in Morgantown and tallied a pair of victories, with the women winning 194-100 and the men dominating 207.5-83.5.
West Virginia’s women had three double winners on the day: Jaqueline McCutchan in the 100 backstroke (56.40) and 100 freestyle (51.32), Mia Cheatwood in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.36) and 200 breaststroke and Olivia Busch in the 1000 free (10:26.08) and 500 free (5:05.68).
On the men’s side, Danny Berlitz won the 100 backstroke (48.86) an 200 IM (1:47.92) while William Mullen also won two races, in the 1000 free (9:26.52) and the 500 free (4:35.43).
Full results are available here, and read the full press release from West Virginia below:
The West Virginia University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams tallied a pair of wins over Villanova on Senior Day at the Aquatic Center at Mylan Park in Morgantown on Saturday afternoon.
The men’s team was victorious over the Wildcats, earning a score of 207.5-83.5, while the women earned a score of 194-100.
“Always a special day to honor our seniors. To send them off with wins was great,” coach Vic Riggs said. “Very strong effort from both teams today. Pleased with the overall racing and adjustments we’ve made from the first two meets.”
The afternoon was highlighted by the Mountaineers winning 28 of the 32 meet events.
The first win of the day came in the women’s 400-yard medley relay. Senior Jacqueline McCutchan, freshman Mia Cheatwood, senior Harna Minezawa and freshman Ada Szwabinska finished with a time of 3:48.36. The 200-yard free relay team consisting of the same four also earned first place, finishing in 1:33.75.
The women were led by McCutchan, Cheatwood, and freshman Olivia Busch who added two solo victories for the Mountaineers. McCutchan earned first in the 100-yard backstroke (56.40) and 100 free (51.32). Cheatwood’s victories came in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:02.36) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:16.64). Busch finished first in the 1000 free (10:26.08) and 500 free, touching the pads in 5:05.68.
Minezawa, Szwabinska, junior Abby Reardon, sophomore Emily Knorr, senior Ginger Hansen, junior Paige Dressel and sophomore Morgan Burton also added victories for West Virginia.
On the men’s side, the 400-yard medley relay team consisting of junior Justin Heimes, junior Danny Berlitz, senior David Snider and sophomore Conner McBeth earned first, finishing with a time of 3:17.11. The 200-yard free relay also secured first place. McBeth, freshman Jamin Harlan, senior Roberts Zemturis and freshman Maverick Bray finished with a time of 1:24.19.
Berlitz added a pair of solo victories for the men in the 100-yard backstroke (48.86) and the 200-yard IM (1:47.92). Junior William Mullen also added two solo victories in the 1000 free (9:26.52) and the 500 free (4:35.43).
McBeth, Heimes, Harlan, freshman Max Nielson, sophomore Reilly Kennedy, freshman Alvaro Santiago, junior Roanoke Shirk, freshman Adam McDonald and senior David Snider added solo victories for the men as well.
In the diving well, senior Owen Johns finished first in the 1-meter (328.95) and 3-meter (378.90). Sophomore Sarah Krusinski added a first-place finish in the 1-meter for the women (261.30).