Coming Up Next in Landmark Conference Swimming

By Luke McGuire, Swimming World College Intern

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a big weekend of Landmark Conference swimming competition, all nine conference teams – Merchant Marine, Catholic, Elizabethtown, Goucher, Drew, Scranton, Juniata, and Susquehanna – will return to the pool this weekend. The four conference meets scheduled for Friday, November 21, and Saturday, November 22, will be the most of any single weekend in the 2014-2015 season thus far.

A Look Back

On Saturday, Nov. 15, Catholic’s men and women defeated Drew in the only Landmark Conference meet of the week. Scranton, Juniata, and Susquehanna fell to non-conference opponents, while Goucher, Elizabethtown, and Susquehanna’s men earned non-conference wins. Juniata’s loss came against Division II Kutztown, while Scranton dropped a dual with Ramapo College and Susquehanna came up short against Gettysburg.

Catholic University of America

With a successful trip to Drew behind them, Catholic is gearing up for another Landmark meet this week. The Cardinals will visit Goucher on Saturday, where they will need top swims from freshmen Peter Bajorek, who touched in 10:25.25 in the 1000 freestyle on Saturday, and Chris Contreras (52.25 in the 100 free). The women can expect strong contributions from reigning Landmark Rookie of the Year Christine Loughery (So.), who posted a winning time of 56.46 in the 100 free against Drew.

Susquehanna University

Despite falling to Gettysburg College in a tri-meet, the Susquehanna Crusaders posted a number of times that rank among the best in the conference this season. They’ll return to the pool on Friday for the first day of a three-day invitational at Bucknell University, and will also host Drew on Saturday. Bill Crumrine (So.), the conference leader in the 200 freestyle with a 1:47.88, and Jourdan Stewart (So.), who owns the top spot in the 100 butterfly with a 53.25, will be critical for Susquehanna. For the women, Kelsey Lessard (Jr.) and Lexi Cole (Sr.), the Landmark leaders in the 200 butterfly and 500 freestyle, will lead the way.

Marywood University

After an idle week, Marywood will host cross-town rival Scranton in one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the week. Juniors Dan Adams and Zack Haney, who own Marywood’s top marks in the 50 free (22.39) and 200 free (1:48.55), respectively, will be crucial to the Pacers’ success. To defeat the Scranton women, Marywood will rely both on its senior leadership and its fresh talent, with Valerie Barlow (Sr.) and Virginia Cobb (Fr.).

Scranton University

Following a 161-101 non-conference loss to Ramapo College, Scranton will make the short trip to Marywood on Saturday. In what promises to be a hard-fought meet, Scranton will depend on senior breaststroker Michael Ambrose, who turned in a 1:00.14 on Saturday, and sprint specialist Grant Owens (Jr.), who owns the conference’s second-best 50 free time with a 22.06. Distance swimmer Kaitlyn Maloney, whose 5:35.86 earned her first-place honors against Ramapo, and backstroker Hanna Sandor (1:03.90 in the 100 back) will be major players for the Royals.

Goucher College

After dispatching Gallaudet University on Saturday, Goucher turns its attention towards Catholic. Versatile junior Cody Nelson, winner of the 1000 freestyle (11:16.71) and 100 backstroke (1:02.38) against Gallaudet, will be an important complement to the Richter twins for the Gopher men. Goucher’s women won eight of nine individual events against Gallaudet with eight different athletes. One of the winners to watch is sophomore Elizabeth Hannifin, whose 1:09.46 in the 100 backstroke won by nearly seven seconds.

Drew University

Drew came up short against Catholic this past week, despite encouraging results from many Rangers. Drew will swim two Landmark Conference meets this week, hosting Elizabethtown on Friday and visiting Susquehanna on Saturday. Junior Mike Smoliga, winner of the 50 free against Catholic with a 23.96, will be a force for Drew going forward. Freshman Lindsay Pearce stepped up for Drew in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.65) on Saturday, and will contend in that event all season.

Elizabethtown College

After a win against non-conference opponent FDU- Florham, Elizabethtown will square up against Drew on Saturday. Senior Frank Capria, who posted times of 11:01.80 in the 1000 free and 5:27.50 in the 500 free against FDU-Florham, will lead the men. For the Blue Jay women, winners of all 11 events this past weekend, Amanda Long (Jr.) and Sarah Alps (So.) flashed some speed in the 100 breaststroke (1:13.70) and 100 freestyle (1:02.70), respectively.

Juniata College

After a narrow loss to Division II Kutztown on senior night, Juniata’s women turn their attention toward the upcoming Swarthmore Invitational. Kim Proenca (Sr.) and Meghan Swavely (Sr.) swam their best times of the season against Kutztown, and Juniata will need them and fellow senior Alyssa Peachey to lead the Eagles through the back half of their season.

United States Merchant Marine Academy

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will begin its competitive season this week at its own Memorial Invitational. Although they will not compete against a Landmark opponent until January, the meet provides an opportunity for returning NCAA qualifiers Kevin Lindgren (Sr.) and Stone Hewitt (So.) to gauge their off-season improvement.

Upcoming Schedule

November 21: Elizabethtown at Drew
November 21-23: Susquehanna at Bucknell Invitational
November 22: Catholic at Goucher
November 22: Scranton at Marywood
November 22: Juniata at Swarthmore Invitational
November 22: Drew at Susquehanna
November 22: Merchant Marine at USMMA Memorial Invitational

Landmark Conference Swimmers of the Week

This week, the Landmark Conference selected Susquehanna swimmers Jourdan Stewart (So.) and Lexi Cole (Sr.) as Swimmers of the Week. Stewart turned in times of 53.25 in the 100 butterfly and 2:02.53 in the 200 butterfly, and Cole earned the top spot in the conference in the 500 freestyle with a 5:22.42. This week, they’ll swim at the Bucknell Invitational, and will also take on Drew University.

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.

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