5 Races to Watch at the NEISDA Championship

By Diana Pimer, Swimming World College Intern

This year’s NEISDA Championships are suspected to be the most exciting in the last four years. On the women’s side, the majority of entry times are faster than the top scorers from last year. The NEISDA women have stepped up their game this year, with top swimmers coming from a range of teams. This should lead some exciting races and the closest overall team score the conference has seen in a while. On the men’s side, the Keene State Owls have an interesting lineup this year, with challengers coming from Saint Michael’s, Roger Williams, and Regis College.

The meet will be held at the University of Rhode Island. Competition begins Friday, February 13. Check out the psych sheet and these 5 races to watch at the NEISDA Championship:

1. Women’s Relays

With a seed time under the meet record, on paper it looks like Keene State should win the 800 free relay. Aside from this, the rest of the women’s relays are up in the air. Currently, KSC is the leader for the freestyle relays (1:38.29, 3:37.69, 7:45.16) while Roger Williams holds the top spots in the two medley relays (1:47.05 and 3:58.38). Any of the sprint relays could go to either team, with schools like Simmons and Saint Michael’s in the mix as well.

2. Women’s 100 free

The sprinting showdown of the meet will come in the women’s 100 freestyle. Last year, Alison Bartlett (KSC) won the event in 52.78 with Simmons’ Miriam Swisher not far behind in 53.07. This year, both women have stepped up, as their seed times are already significantly lower than what they went at NEISDA last year. Swisher holds the top seed in 51.75, with Bartlett trailing behind at 51.80. This .05 may be the deciding factor in this event, as it will come down to who wants it more. If you want an exciting race, this is the one to watch. Other swimmers to watch in this event are Taylor DaSilva, (KSC) Stephanie Niman, (RWU) Krystyna Estrada (CSC) and Katharine Johnson (RWU).

3. Women’s 100 fly

This may prove to be one of Keene State’s most promising events scoring-wise at the NEISDA Championships. The Owls hold half of the top 8 spots with Amber Long, Liv Gallugi, Madison Sestak, and Katherine Brady all seeded to make the A final. However, also in the mix is Andrea Almandoz from Roger Williams. With the third seed, the difference between Almandoz and the rest of the field is that her time is from a dual meet, so she will be ready to swim this tapered. Last year’s champion Alexis Houser graduated, so any of these women are in striking distance of claiming the top spot. It should take under a 59 to be on the top of the podium in this event.

4. Men’s Breaststroke

Last year, the Keene State men nearly doubled the score of the second place team. However, this year the Owls will have some interesting changes in their lineup as three standouts Shahar Resman, Ryan Boraski, and Christopher DiGiacomo will not be attending the meet. The Owls still hold most of the top seeds in all events, but the breaststroke races should be where they find the most competition. Three swimmers are seeded under 1:00 in the 100, with Nathan Shepard (KSC) leading the pack. He is follwed by David Kitchen (RWU) and Ethan Etheridge (KSC). This trio holds the same spot in the 200 distance. If anyone wants to take an event win away from the Keene State men, it may come down to David Kitchen.

5. Women’s Distance

While the events may not be as exciting at the 100 freestyle, NEISDA women have four standout distance swimmers entered in the meet this year. Based off the psych sheet, it is not yet clear who will be swimming what, but events to keep an eye on are the 200, 500, 1,000, and 1,650 freestyle and the 400 IM. Hope Walsh, (KSC) Caity Shea, (KSC) India Boland, (GCST) and Shannon Earley (RWU) will be rounding out the top spots in these events. While Earley is the only of this group who will do the 400 IM, the rest of these events could go to any of these swimmers.

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Alice kitchen

9 years ago

Did you see this article..check breast stroke..david is mentioned