Empire 8 Swimming Looking for NCAA Cuts

By James Sica, Swimming World College Intern

CAMBRIDGE – Moving toward the end of the fall semester, the six teams of Empire 8 swimming (Ithaca College, Stevens Institute, Hartwick College, Nazareth College, Alfred University, and Utica College) are wrapping up the first half of their competition season at some big invitationals. Expect to see some fast swimming and several swimmers gunning for or improving upon NCAA cuts.

Looking Back…

On the women’s side, Stevens narrowly defeated Washington & Lee at the F&M Invite last week, 728 to 712. In a close dual at the Hamilton quad meet Ithaca College fell to SUNY Geneseo by only 6 point, but came out with victories against Hartwick College and Hamilton College. That brings the Lady Bombers to a 7-1 record. Utica College fell to Skidmore 160-91. On the men’s side, Ithaca College came away with 3 wins at the Hamilton quad meet, defeating SUNY Geneseo, Hamilton College, and conference rival Hartwick College. Steven’s continued to impress at the Franklin & Marshall Invite as the Ducks cruised to the title scoring 1,005.5 points which was almost 400 points better than second place. Utica College fell to Skidmore 152-97. Nazareth’s meet against SUNY Fredonia was postponed due to inclement weather.

All of the teams in the Empire 8 will be competing at the Bomber Invitational hosted by Ithaca College, save Utica College (who is swimming Cazenovia), and Stevens Institute of Technology (who will be competing at the ECAC Championships).

Stevens Institute of Technology

The Steven’s women looked strong at the F&M Invite last week, fighting down to the last relay to come out with a team victory. As they head to the ECAC Championships this weekend expect to see some more fast swimming as several of their swimmers continue to put themselves in a place to qualify for NCAA’s at the end of the season. Look for senior Brittany Geyer to improve on her conference leading times in the 100 and 200 breaststroke (1:04.23, 2:17.67) while also challenging in the IMs. Sophomore Danielle Caruso will also look improve on her B cuts in the 200 (1:52.19) and 500 (4:58.16) freestyles, as both sit right around what was invited to NCAA’s last year. These two should buoy Steven’s medley relays, and if they can find a few seconds on the backstroke and butterfly legs they should be in a position to challenge for a win and get under the NCAA B standard.

Steven’s men looked equally impressive at the F&M meet, finishing ahead of second place Franklin & Marshall by almost 400 points. Steven’s men won this event last year but should be challenged by NYU in the relays and in many individual events. Junior Ravi Sun had a lights out meet setting school records in 100 (49.63) and 200 (1:47.19) backstrokes, and if he can repeat his performances should place be in a position to run away with both events at ECAC’s. Junior Tomasz Wolinski will also try and improve on his B cut in the 100 freestyle (45.51); the invited time to NCAA’s last year was a 45.23. Watch out for the trio of freshmen James Betz, freshman Connor Harrigan, and sophomore Conner Arnott in the distance freestyle events; these three swept the 500 at the F&M invite, and will want to continue that dominance at ECACs.

Ithaca College

The Lady Bombers will be looking to rebound from their loss to SUNY Geneseo when they face off against the Blue Wave again this weekend, this time in their home pool. With the championship-scoring format expect Ithaca to have a slight advantage given their depth in several events, including the freestyle, backstroke, and relay events. Sophomore Grace Ayer will likely swim a schedule similar to what she will do at the end of the year, which could include some combination of the IM’s or the backstrokes; events which she has led the conference in this year. Senior Kylie Bangs has traditionally swam very well at this meet, so expect her to be a force in both backstrokes as well. Other Ithaca women to watch out for are sophomore Lake Duffy in the sprint freestyles, senior Megan Buisman in the freestyle and backstroke, and freshman Nilza Costa in the distance freestyle events.

On the men’s side, the Bomber men are coming off an impressive performance at the Hamilton Quad meet where they walked away with three wins. Ithaca typically pulls out some fast swims at this time of the year, so expect some of the men to improve on their already impressive times from this year. As always, eyes will be on the Zelehowsky brothers (junior Adam and senior Lucas) who have been a force in the freestyle, butterfly, and IM events as well as a key component of their relays. Others to watch will be senior Logan Metzger in the sprint freestyle and backstroke, freshman Aidan Hartswick in the breaststrokes, and junior Addison Hebert in the freestyles and IM events.

Hartwick College

Hartwick’s women won’t be able to rely as heavily on their strong swimmers this weekend at the Bomber Invitational due to the nature of championship scoring. Still, Hartwick has traditionally rested and swam well at this meet, so expect leaders junior Imma Rutigliano (freestyle, IM), senior Gwen Mathias (distance freestyle), and sophomore Kelsey Elliot (sprint freestyle) to improve on their season bests and continue to be at the top end of the conference in their events.

On the men’s side Hartwick may not have enough bodies to get past Ithaca, but there should be some close contests throughout the meet. Senior Miles Blaney will challenge for top positions in the freestyle and butterfly events after being edged out in each event at the Hamilton Quad Meet. Also look for junior Matt Plunkett (backstroke), junior Ben Detar (butterfly), and sophomore Luis Santiesteban (freestyle and IMs) to attempt to improve on their current times from this season.

Alfred University

Alfred will return to the pool for their first competition in 3 weeks when they dive in at the Bomber Invite this weekend. For the Saxon women this will be an excellent opportunity for Chrissy Behr to go head to head with sophomore Lake Duffy (Ithaca) and sophomore Kelsey Elliot (Hartwick), two of the best sprinters in the conference. The Saxon men should also be eager to get back to competition after 3 weeks away, with the upperclassmen trio of Dave Coombes (sprint/middle distance free), David Luke (sprints), and Zac Toth (Butterfly/IM) having the opportunity to compete against the best in the conference in their prime events. These three will also help Alfred’s relays challenge Ithaca and Hartwick, particularly in the 200 freestyle relay.

Nazareth College

This weekend will provide an opportunity for some of Nazareth’s top swimmers to step up and race the best in their conference. On the women’s side, the Golden Flyers have Cameron Hess in the distance events, who will be swimming her first 1650 of the year. On the men’s side, the Golden Flyer’s Daniel Burke will have a chance to face some of the best in the conference in the backstrokes and IM events.

Utica College

Utica College will take on Cazenovia away this weekend. This is the third time both teams have met, the first being at the early season Hartwick Relay meet and the second at their home pool; on both instances the Utica men and women beat Cazenovia handily. Cazenovia has a fairly limited roster, particularly on the men’s side, and shouldn’t provide too much of a challenge for the Pioneers. Utica may take this opportunity to put some of their better swimmers in some different events, which could include freshman Phoebe King (100 back, 100 free, and 200 IM), freshman Alyson Baribault (100 and 200 breaststroke), junior Raphael Warnon (backstroke and butterfly).

Empire 8 Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week for Week of November 24

The female and male Athlete of the Week for the week of November 24 went to senior Brittney Geyer and junior Ravi Sun, both from Steven’s Institute of Technology. Geyer won the 200 breaststroke with a new meet-record (2:17.67), the 100 breaststroke (1:04.23), and the 200 IM (2:08.53). Geyer’s times in the 100 and 200 breaststroke were good for NCAA B cuts. Sun set a school and meet record in the 100 back (49.63), won the 200 back with a meet record and school-record (1:47.19), and won the 200 IM in a meet record (1:51.58). All three of Sun’s individual times were good for NCAA B cuts, as was the winning 200-medley relay (1:32.15).

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College Athlete

9 years ago

check your facts–both Stevens teams defeated Washington and Lee, not Franklin and Marshall at the invitational

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Jason Marsteller

9 years ago

Reply to College Athlete

Hi “College Athlete”

Stevens Tech actually beat both Washington & Lee and Franklin & Marshall at that meet.

Women – Team Rankings – Through Event 331

1. Stevens Institute of Technolog 728 2. Washington & Lee University 712
3. Mount Saint Mary’s 484 4. Franklin & Marshall College 330
5. Ramapo College of NJ 323 6. Kutztown University 280
7. Millersville University 258 8. Saint Vincent College 185
9. Widener University 112 10. Montclair State University 72
11. Suny Oneonta 58 12. Frostburg State University 22

Men – Team Rankings – Through Event 331

1. Stevens Institute of Technolog 1005.5 2. Washington & Lee University 609.5
3. Saint Vincent College 454 4. Ramapo College of NJ 420
5. Widener University 413.5 6. Franklin & Marshall College 274.5
7. Suny Oneonta 241 8. Frostburg State University 79
9. Montclair State University 68