A Week of Thrills for CAC Swimming

By Dennis D’Abbraccio, Swimming World College Intern

The Capital Athletic Conference standings were jolted last weekend with a lot of fast swimming through conference play. CAC Swimming is only gaining speed.

SAINT MARY’S VS. SALISBURY

A very exciting meet happened between Saint Mary’s and Salisbury Saturday, and Saint Mary’s took both ends of the meet. The lady Seahawks won 143-118, as the men squeezed a 132-130 win out over the Seagulls.

The lady Seahawks dazzled winning 10 of 14 events. Have a day, Cara Machlin! The junior scored 40 points, winning gold in the 400 medley relay (4:43.90), 200 meter fly (2:37.83), 100 meter fly (1:09.34) and 400 meter free relay (4:20.39).

Brooke Raab added points to the board with a win in the 200 meter breaststroke (2:55.76), as teammate Victoria Radcliffe took first in 200 meter IM (2:32.00). The Seagulls put up a good fight against their conference foe, with several notable swims.

Bizu Baldinazzo won the 200 meter free (2:15.72) as well as the 100 meter free (1:02.10). Margaret Deering took first in the 200 meter back (2:39.10) and second in the 100 meter back (1:15.21).

With the men down 88-81 late in the meet, the Seahawks pulled a comeback that started with Matt Walchuck winning the 400 meter free (4:24.02). The sophomore would also win gold in the 200 meter free (2:04.67) and the deciding 200 meter IM (2:17.36).

The Seagulls made it close in the sprint free with William Gough taking first in the 50 meter free (24.04) and Jake Blazer winning gold in the 100 meter free (55.50). The Seagulls won both the 400 meter medley relay (4:09.41) and 400 meter free relay (3:48.02), but fell short in this action-packed meet.

GETTYSBURG VS. MARY WASHINGTON

With a non-conference home meet against Gettysburg, the Mary Washington Eagles split the meet with the women prevailing 134-128 and the men falling 151-108.

A team with great depth, the women had several swimmers contribute to this thriller of a win against Gettysburg. Opening with a win the 200 yard medley relay, Katie Fago, Alex Parrish, Shannon Coryell, and Steph Hallock took early control with first place(1:50.15).

Katie Fago set a school record and made an NCAA cut in the 100 yard back (57.50). Anna Corley nabs first in the 200 yard IM (2:14.53) with teammate Abby Cox taking gold in the 200 yard fly (2:14.27) and 500 yard free (5:20.78).

For the men, the meet was not nearly as close or dramatic. Like the women, the men opened up winning the 200 yard medley relay with the team of Sean Mayer, Vance Solseth, Alex Anderson, and Matthew Garstka (1:36.32).

Some fast swimming by the Eagles included Zach Eisig’s win in the 1,000 yard free (10:11.63) and the 500 yard free (4:55.75). Teammate Alex Anderson would also pick up a couple first place finishes, winning the 50 yard free (20.92) and 200 yard back (1:54.83).

MARYMOUNT VS. YORK PA

Marymount traveled to York PA to take on the Spartan on Senior Day. The prior week, it was Marymount who was celebrating a sweep against Salisbury on their Senior Day. The Saints would now try to play spoiler and go for another sweep on yet another Senior Day.

For the women, the Saints nipped the Spartans 104-101, in a tight meet that went back and forth on the scoreboard. Marymount would win the opening 200 medley relay at 1:59.27. Casey Thomas continued her dominance in the sprint freestyle events, wining the 100 yard free (2:03.91) and 200 yard free (55.57).

Freshmen Morgan Alston threw in a ‘W’ in the 200 yard IM (2:19.42) and teammate Kassidy Schmidt took the 200 yard back (2:19.01). The Spartans tried to salvage a win winning the 200 yard free relay (1:46.10), but they came up short.

Senior Courtney Dacheux celebrated Senior Day with a first place in the 50 yard free (25.76). Freshmen Kacey Banks would also take some much needed points winning the 200 yard fly (2:04.10).

The complete opposite applied to the men’s side.

The Marymount Saints ran through a buzz saw, falling to the Spartans on their Senior Day 121-79. The Spartans opened up with an impressive victory in the 200 yard medley relay (1:37.74) and never looked back.

Russell Stoll won the 1,000 yard free with an impressive time of 10:28.50, dropping over 20 seconds for his season best. Cody Latchford joined the Senior Day fun winning the 200 yard free (1:49.43), as fellow Senior Shane Bonner won the 50 yard free (22.00) and the 100 yard free (49.57). The Saints did achieve a few solid scoring opportunities, when Joey Gardner won the 200 yard breast (2:19.52), and Tyler Hayes picked up silver in the 50 yard free (22.31).

FROSTBURG VS. DAVIS & ELKINS

Frostburg hosted DII foe Davis & Elkins Saturday, with the women falling 97-77, as the men fell 114-83. The woman saw freshman Macey Nitchie take first place and set a new team record in the 200 yard free (1:59.98). The previous record of 2:01.00 had stood for more than 30 years until Saturday afternoon.

Nithcie also collected two second place finishes in the 50 yard free (25.95) and 100 yard free (57.58). Senior Kaitlyn Donch added a first place finish for the Bobcats, continuing to dominate the 100 yard breast (1:13.86).

Although the men fell to Davis & Elkins big, the Bobcats still had some fast swimming on Saturday. The Bobcats opened up the meet winning the 200 yard medley relay with the team of Yarberough, Shepard, Combs and Williams (2:02.49). F

reshmen Christian March finished first in the 100 yard breast (1:00.65), as well as first in the 50 meter free topping off at 25.42. Freshmen Deionn Yarberough would take second in the 100 yard back (1:00.69).

Swimmers of the Week: Jan. 25th

Mary Washington Junior, Katie Fargo wins the CAC swimmer of the week award. Fargo set a new school record and first place in the 100 yard back (57.50) and helped in backstroke to win the 200 medley relay (1:50.15), en route to beating Gettysburg 134-128.

Saint Mary Sophomore, Matt Walchuck wins the men’s CAC swimmer of the week award. Winning key races in the 400 meter free (2:17.36) and the 400 meter free (4:24.02), this helped boost the Seahawks past Salisbury 132-130

Coming Up:
January 31st: Frostburg vs. Marymount @ Mary Washington 1pm
Saint Mary’s at Catholic 1pm
February 7th York College of PA at Rowan 1pm

Standings
Women’s
Conference Overall
Mary Washington 3-0 7-2
Saint Mary’s 4-1 11-3
Marymount 2-1 4-1-1
Salisbury 2-3 3-6
York 1-4 4-9
Frostburg 0-3 3-8

Men’s
Conference Overall
Mary Washington 3-0 6-3
York College Pa. 4-1 11-2
Saint Mary’s 3-2 6-8
Marymount 1-2 2-4
Salisbury 1-4 2-7
Frostburg 0-3 2-9

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