Patriot League Championships: Day Three

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, February 20. NAVY swept the 2010 Patriot League Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday, becoming the third squad to capture both titles in the same year. The Mids won the men’s competition with a record 1,047 points, ahead of second-place Bucknell, which had 646. Army came in third with 529. It is the Navy men’s seventh-consecutive League championship, which ties Army’s mark set from 1992-98. On the women’s side, the Mids secured their 10th League crown and first since 2007 with 887 points. Bucknell took second with 687, and two-time defending champion Colgate captured third place with 675.5 points.

The Midshipmen dominated the meet’s major individual awards. Navy’s John Morrison was voted Women’s Coach of the Year, while Dan Schinnerer of Bucknell was honored as Men’s Coach of the Year. The Diving Coach of the Year award went to Ron Kontura of Army.
Navy senior Tara Chapmon wrapped up another stellar Patriot League Championship effort, as she ended the three-day event with seven titles (three individual, four relay) and was named Female Swimmer of the Meet. She began the day by winning the 1,650-yard freestyle in 16:25.55, which set Patriot League and League Championships record. She will finish her collegiate career with 17 Patriot League titles, which is tied for second all-time. Her 10 individual crowns are an all-time best. In addition, she finished with 234 career points at the Patriot League Championships, which is tops all-time on both the men and women’s lists.

Midshipman senior Adam Meyer was voted Male Swimmer of the Meet. On Saturday, he captured his sixth Patriot League title of the year and second consecutive crown in the 200 fly. He is the first to successfully defend the 200 fly titles since Chris Neary of Bucknell won it back-to-back in 2000 and 2001. His individual victories also came in the 200 IM and 100 fly, while he was a part of three relay champions (800 free and 200 and 400 medley).

Navy also picked up both Rookies of the Meet awards. Laura Gorinski, who missed the first semester because of injury, won three individual events for the championships, including the 200 IM and the 100 and 200 breaststroke, the latter of which she won on Saturday. Justin Vagts of Navy captured the Male Rookie of the Meet award after posting a first-place finish in the 400 IM, while taking second in the 1,650 free and third in the 500 free.

Lindsay Adao of Army swept the one- and three-meter diving events and was named Female Diver of the Meet for the second straight year. She continues a streak of consecutive winners in both events. There have been back-to-back winners from both boards since 1999. Male Diver of the Meet went to sophomore Ben Nicholas of Navy, who won the one-meter and finished second from the three-meter board behind Army freshman Chris Nguyen.

Chapmon’s teammate and senior Thuy-Mi Dinh completed her Patriot League Championships career with a victory in the 100 free. She is the second student-athlete to capture the event three times in her career. Bucknell’s Margaret Grunow was the first from 1991-93. Dinh also ran the fourth leg of the 400 free relay, which Chapmon anchored.

The Midshipmen captured 10 events on the third day and 30 over the entire championships. Navy swept the 1,650 free, as Erik Hunter won the men’s event in 15:11.96 in addition to Chapmon’s victory. Sam Martinette won the men’s 200 backstroke in 1:47.89. Aaron Aiken won the 100 free in 44.88, and swam the second leg of the 400 free relay. Pete Donahue also captured the 200 breast for the Midshipmen, touching the wall in 2:00.50.

Navy won all 10 relays over the three-day championships.

Colgate picked up two victories on Saturday, both in women’s events. Lia Kunnapas won the 200 back in 1:59.58, and Erin McGraw gave the Raiders a victory in the 200 fly. She finished in 1:59.82, which set a Patriot League and League Championship record.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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