Division III Weekly Meet Recap: Andrew Wilson Returns to Pool for Emory

Photo Courtesy: Carlos Barron

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While the likes of Katie Ledecky and Simone Manuel have the swimming world buzzing about the return of NCAA competition, Division III has a national team member of its own back in the pool.

After training with Texas for a year and placing fourth in the 200 breast and fifth in the 100 breast at the 2016 Olympic Trials, Emory senior Andrew Wilson has returned to compete for the Emory Eagles for one more year. He did not waste any time re-claiming his dominance as the premiere breaststroker in Division III.

His swims of 55.57 and 2:03.00 were both “B” standards, and are easily the top times in the nation so far for the breaststroke events. While the swims may not stand out in the realm of all NCAA competition on paper, Wilson is still ahead of where he normally is. Two years ago, Wilson swam a 56.53 and a 2:04.87 in his October dual meet. These swims led him to victories and national records in both distances at NCAAs.

But while his performances did make a statement on Saturday, his female teammates had the most dominating performance of the weekend.

Meet of the Week: Emory Women Defeat Queens (NC)

Photo Courtesy: Emory Athletics

It takes a strong performance to out-shine the dominant return of Andrew Wilson, but the Emory women did just that as they defeated Division II National Champions Queens (NC). The ultimate score landed in their favor, as the Eagles won 136-126.

Junior Cindy Cheng had an impressive day for the Eagles, as she won the 100 and 200 back, achieved NCAA “B” cuts in both, and now has the national top time in both distances as well. Her time of 55.17 is faster than her performance at the UAA Championships last year, let alone all of her dual meet performances. She led off the winning 400 medley relay at NCAAs with a 54.74, so it is pretty safe to say that she is on the right track to improve upon her fourth place finish in this event from last year.

The sprint freestyle events were crucial to the team’s victory as well. Marissa Bergh won the 50 free in 24.20, just .03 ahead of Queens’ Kyrie Dobson. In the 100 distance, Fiona Muir, Bergh and Claire Liu punched a 1-2-3 finish to secure some valuable points. Muir and Bergh then teamed up with Meg Taylor and Marcela Sanchez-Aizcorbe to claim the 200 freestyle relay, while Emory’s B squad snuck in for second. Divers Madeline Lutwyche and Avery Botansky brought home a total of 26 points for the Eagles.

Despite winning only five swimming races, the depth and strength of Emory women’s swimming proved true once again this weekend.

Other Top Swims:

Photo Courtesy: Rowan University Athletics

Jesse Novak (Rowan – 50/100 free) – Rowan senior Jesse Novak started his 2016-17 campaign for a national championship title on the right foot. In helping his team secure a victory over Division II Bridgeport, Novak swam to two national top times in the 50 and 100 freestyle. He swam a 20.41 to take and 50 and a 46.13 to claim the 100. Novak’s typical October times in these events are 21-mid and 47-mid.
Shanny Lin (RPI – 200 fly) – Lin swam to her first NCAA “B” cut of the season in the 200 fly this weekend against RIT. Her time of 2:06.36 currently sits at the top of the national rankings. Lin is no stranger to having the top time in the nation in this event and has placed fourth in the 200 butterfly at NCAAs both her freshman and sophomore year. Her 2:06 is the fastest she has ever swam in October by over three seconds, so she is already setting herself up to claim one of the top spots on the podium again this year in Texas.

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Emory Swimming

7 years ago

Look at the Emory v. Queens meet results again. Diving a non-factor. Those events were exhibitioned for both men & women.