Empire 8 Conference Wrap Up: Ithaca Women, Stevens Men Repeat as Conference Champions

Photo Courtesy: John Enright

By James Sica, Swimming World College Intern

The Empire 8 Conference wrapped up its season at the UNYSCSA and Empire 8 Championships this past weekend. On the women’s side, the Ithaca College women celebrated a close victory over runner-up Stevens Institute of Technology. The Lady Bombers won by 39 points in Empire 8 scoring (891 to 852), and by a mere 24 points in UNYSCSA scoring (1,351 to 1,327). This is the Bombers 15^th Empire 8 title since the conference’s inception in 2000 (they finished second in 2013). See the table below for final Empire 8 and UNYSCSA scoring:

Empire 8 UNYSCSA

Ithaca – 891 Ithaca – 1,351

Stevens – 852 Stevens – 1,327

Hartwick – 515 Hartwick – 776.5

Nazareth – 456 Nazareth – 540

Alfred – 300 Alfred – 403

Utica – 137 Utica – 139

On the men’s side, Steven’s Institute of Technology ran away with the team title ahead of runner-up Ithaca College. This is Stevens’ third straight Empire 8 title since their first win in 2013. This was a much more comfortable win for Stevens than last year’s conference, which was won over Ithaca College by only 8 points. See the table below for final Empire 8 and UNYSCSA scoring:

Empire 8 UNYSCSA

Stevens – 1,567.5 Stevens – 992

Ithaca – 1,128.5 Ithaca – 750.5

Hartwick – 893 Hartwick – 599

Alfred – 636 Alfred – 501

Nazareth – 440 Nazareth – 403.5

Utica – 145 Utica – 168

Results

As predicted, there were several impressive match-ups at this year’s conference meet, with many event winners posting times that will qualify them for the NCAA Championships in a few weeks.

On the women’s side, Stevens senior Brittany Geyer was the only triple event winner, taking home titles in the 400 IM (4:27.24), 100 breaststroke (1:04.05), and 200 breaststroke (2:20.35). Geyer was also on the winning 200 medley and 400 medley relays. All of Geyer’s times should qualify her for the NCAA championships in March, as she currently sits 14^th in the 100 breast and 400 IM 5^th in the 200 breast.

Ithaca sophomore Grace Ayer was the only other multiple event winner, taking home victories in the 200 IM (2:05.84) and 200 backstroke (2:03.21). Ayer’s time in the 200 IM currently sits 19^th in the country, which puts her just on the edge of NCAA qualifying.

Notable performances from the meet included Ithaca senior Kylie Bangs, who notched a third in the 200 IM (2:08.34), a second in the 200 backstroke (2:03.72), and a first place showing in the 100 backstroke (57.00). Stevens freshman Sarah Jurczyk’s won the 100 fly (56.61, 56.09 time trials) and Nazareth sophomore Cameron Hess’s won the 1,650 free (17:07.91). Ithaca sophomore Nickie Griesemer led a strong contingent of Ithaca divers with her victories on 1-meter (472.20) and 3-meter (541.05) springboard.

Steven senior Brittany Geyer, Photo Courtesy: Hayley Good

On the men’s side, only Hartwick senior Miles Blaney won multiple events: the 200 (1:40.29, 1:39.69 in prelims) and 500 (4:28.54) freestyles. Other notable performances included Alfred senior David Luke in the 50 free (20.55), Hartwick junior Matt Plunkett in the 200 backstroke (1:48.85), Stevens junior Tommy Wolinski in the 100 free (45.33), and Stevens junior Ravi Sun in the 100 backstroke (50.49).

However, the single most impressive performance at the UNSYSCA meet came in one of the most unlikely places. On the first night of competition, Ithaca senior Lucas Zelehowsky completed a 100 butterfly time trial in a time of 48.58, which currently ranks him 4^th in the country. L. Zelehowsky also won the 200 breaststroke (2:05.29), was 3^rd in the 200 fly (1:52.20, 1:50.78 prelims), and was 3^rd in the 400 IM (4:09.80, 4:07.18 in prelims). Ithaca senior Matt Morrison also came away with wins on both 1-meter (562.80) and 3-meter (588.40) springboard.

Ithaca senior Lucas Zelehowsky, Photo Courtesy: John Enright

There should be multiple swimmers from both the men’s and women’s side of the meet who will likely qualify for NCAA’s, which take place March 18-21 in Shenandoah, Texas. Be sure to look for the Empire 8 swimmers and divers who will be competing!

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Chris Willcox

9 years ago

Hmmm seems to favor Ithaca just a tad bit here…. Hey James where’d you go to school again?

Confused

9 years ago

Didn’t Lefeber win both the one breast and two IM?

Confused

9 years ago

On the Men’s side I mean