ODAC Swimming Shifting Focus to Midseason Invitationals

By Nelson Helm, Swimming World College Intern

LEXINGTON – Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) swimming has taken a break from competition as most students returned home to spend time with their family. With a week of no meets, and only a handful a week before, most ODAC teams are turning their focus to a mid-season invitational.

Last Week:

The Washington and Lee men and women’s teams finished second at the Franklin and Marshall Invitational. Both teams fell to Stevens Institute of Technology, with the women’s team losing by 16 points. A disqualified 800 freestyle relay proved to be the difference between the two women’s teams. On the men’s side, Stevens’ depth was too much for the Generals to overcome.

On the men’s side, freshmen swimmers proved themselves once again. Freshman Tommy Thetford and classmate Thomas Caldwell both A-finaled in all three of their individual events. Thetford placed second in the 50 freestyle (21.09), third in the 100 freestyle (47.08) and seventh in the 200 freestyle (1:48.36). Caldwell placed fourth in the 400 IM (4:17.43), seventh in the 500 freestyle (4:52.92) and seventh in the mile (17:05.21).

On the women’s side, freshman Kira Tomenchok won the 100 and 200 backstrokes (58.13/2:05.67). Both swims were just off the NCAA B cuts. Tomenchok also helped the Generals to a second place finish in the 400 medley relay (3:56.18). Also helping the Generals score points was Emily Rollo. The sophomore was second to Tomenchok in the 200 back (2:06.09), fourth in the 400 IM (4:41.42) and third in the 200 IM (2:12.84). Rollo was also a member of the 800 freestyle relay that placed third (7:52.94), the 400 free relay that placed fourth (3:36.28) and the 200 free relay that placed third (1:39.42).

The Randolph-Macon men and women’s teams traveled to Arlington, Virginia to take on Marymount. The men’s team emerged from the meet victorious, defeating Marymount 121-81, while the women’s team suffered a setback and fell 115.5-89.5. On the men’s side, senior Preston Edwards won the 100 fly (55.63) and 500 free (5:02.84) to help the Yellow Jackets.

Sophomore Mohamed Saleh also won an event, winning the 100 back (54.15) and helped the 200 freestyle relay to a first-place finish (1:30.79). On the women’s side, sophomore Emily Plowman won two events, touching first in the 50 free (26.63) and 100 back (1:04.75). Freshman Megan Granger also won an event, placing first in the 500 free (5:44.89). Granger was also second in the 200 free (2:08.46).

In a tri-meet with Ferrum and ODAC rival Guilford, Greensboro College came out on top of both teams. Greensboro defeated Ferrum 98-82 and Guilford 102-67. Guilford fell to Ferrum 103-74. Greensboro swimmers Erin Gard, Regina Robertson and Jurnee Dutremble each picked up three wins. Gard won the 500 and 1000 freestyles (5:47.38/11:55.26), Robertson won the 50 free (26.11) and 100 fly (1:05.15) and Dutremble won the 200 IM (2:26.19) and 100 back (1:08.23).

On the men’s side, Greensboro lost to Ferrum 107-52. Zackery Sarka was the top performer for Greensboro, winning the 200 IM (2:11.84) and placing second in the 100 back (1:01.70). Notre Dame of Maryland also competed last week, falling to Goucher 130-108. Emily Jordan was the top performer for the team, winning the 200 fly (2:30.95) and 200 IM (2:27.26).

Coming Up:
Yellow Jacket Invitational:

A total of seven ODAC teams will compete at the Yellow Jacket Invitational this weekend. Washington and Lee, Randolph-Macon, Hampden-Sydney, Bridgewater, Hollins, Notre Dame of Maryland and Guilford will all travel to Richmond for the meet.

All teams will look to chase Washington and Lee, who has been dominating ODAC competition this year. Washington and Lee has swept Randolph-Macon, Hampden-Sydney and Sweet Briar so far. The Generals will look again towards Thetford and Caldwell who are coming off stellar weekends at the Franklin and Marshall Invitational two weeks ago.

If Randolph-Macon wants to defeat the Generals, it will need to pick up wins from senior Bobby Bradjic and sophomore Mohamed Saleh. Brajdic will look to score in the 200 IM, where he holds the top time in the ODAC with a 1:59.77, and both backstroke events. He holds the top time in the ODAC in the 200 distance (1:57.01). Saleh will look to take down Thetford in the sprint freestyle events. Saleh holds the second ranked times in the ODAC in both the 50 and 100 freestyles (21.87/48.11).

Both will also be major parts of the Yellow Jacket relays. On the women’s side, no team will come close to Washington and Lee’s points total as the Generals depth in all events will be too much to overcome. For Washington and Lee, its major depth comes in the backstroke and IM events with Rollo and Tomenchok leading the way. Also in those events for the Generals are 2014 ODAC champions Stephanie Foster (100 back, 57.76) and Emma Swabb (200 IM, 2:09.28). Look for both swimmers to compete with Tomenchok and Rollo in those events.

Emory and Henry

The Wasps will compete in Union College Invitational this weekend. Last year, the team posted ODAC leading times at this meet. Leading the way for the team will be freshman Mackenzie Lingle and junior Peyton Shirey, who will both be lethal in the sprint freestyle events. Shirey is the 2013 ODAC champion in both the 50 and 100 freestyles (23.91/53.04) and has been a consistent performer for the Wasps. Lingle has been impressive in her freshman campaign. She posted two second-place finishes against King and Ferrum on November 14 going 28.59 and 1:01.75 in short course meters. Both Shirey and Lingle will also be vital parts to the team’s 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

Swimmers of the Week

Washington and Lee freshmen Tommy Thetford and Kira Tomenchok were awarded ODAC swimmers of the week for their performances at the Franklin and Marshall Invitational. This is the second straight award for Thetford.

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ODAC Swimming Shifting Focus to Midseason Invitationals

Last Week:

Coming Up: Yellow Jacket Invitational:

Emory and Henry

Swimmers of the Week

Coming Up:
Yellow Jacket Invitational: