Middle Atlantic Conference Swimming to Invade Diamond City Invitational

By Allison Peters, Swimming World College Intern

READING – This past week has been nothing short of hectic for Middle Atlantic Conference swimming with six meets completed. But, it will be even more chaotic with several more competitions coming up, including the bulk of the conference swimming at the Diamond City Invitational hosted by King’s.

The Middle Atlantic Conference is comprised of Lycoming, Widener, Misericordia, Arcadia, Wilkes, Albright, Messiah, Farleigh Dickinson, Hood, Stevenson, King’s, Lebanon Valley and Elizabethtown.

Looking back

Arcadia fell to Albright, though the Knights still managed to come away with eight first-place finishes. Leading the men was freshman Matthew Morano, who won both the 100 (49.67) and 500 freestyles (5:11.32). For the women, Whitney Boeckel showed her continued dominance in the backstroke events as she won both the 100 (1:02.75) and 200 backstrokes (2:16.74). For Albright, the two tops swims of the night came from two record-breaking 800 freestyle relays. For the Albright men, the team of Ricky Sutton, Ken Richardson, Matthew Runtas and Alex Bauer set a pool record of 7:25.79, just .08 off from being a full second faster than the previous record set in 2011-2012 season. On the women’s side, the team of Gwen Stefan, Samantha Hand, Elizabeth Muller and Amanda Osterlind set a pool record of 8:19.41, almost four seconds faster than the previous record set in 2012 (8:23.36).

The Lebanon Valley men’s team won its meet against King’s Friday. Freshman Ian Lloyd had the most impressive swim of the night when he won the 200 individual medley in 2:19.34, which is the fastest the pool has seen in 21 years. Lloyd showed his versatility when he also won the 800 freestyle (9:27.18). Chris Kurtz won a pair of events, the 200 (2:07.05) and 400 freestyles (4:27.44). Adam Brock placed second behind Kurtz in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:15.42. The Lebanon Valley women’s team lost to King’s but still had some impressive swims from Lauren Skorupski, who took second in the 100 breaststroke (1:22.83), and Alayna Kalinay who placed second in the 100 backstroke (1:15.15). Michael Sweeney helped defend his fellow King’s teammates by winning the 100 breaststroke in 1:11.45. The only other win from the men came from Chris Lukashewski when he touched in at 57.14 in the 100 freestyle. For the women, Caroline Fitch proved once again to be the strongest distance swimmer for the Lions after she won both the 800 (10:23.93) and 400 (5:01.74) freestyles. Brigid Wynn won multiple events to bring the Lions to victory: the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke.

Elizabethtown men’s and women’s teams both came home with victories against Farleigh Dickinson (FDU) Saturday. For the men, Frank Capria won the 1000 and 500 freestyles in 11:01.80 and 5:27.50, respectively. Capria also picked up a first-place finish in the 200 individual medley with a best in-season time of 2:15.10. David Foery swam a pair of wins in the 200 (1:57.20) and 100 freestyles (51.10). The women won 10 out of 11 events to secure their victory over FDU. Kimberly Cosgrove, normally a 1000 freestyler for the Blue Jays, won the 200 (2:10.20) and 500 (5:43.90) freestyles. Amanda Long also walked away from the meet with a pair of wins in the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. The FDU men had two individual wins. Kevin Andrews won the 100 backstroke in 1:05.50, while teammate Stephen O’Brien took the 100 breaststroke in 1:06.80. For the women, the only win came from the 200 freestyle relay team of Samantha Irace, Alexandra Duarte, Sarah LeChard and Katie Emery (2:01.80).

Messiah’s women won against Susquehanna, but lost to Gettysburg in a double-dual meet Saturday. The most notable swimmer for the team was Tara Freeman who won three individual events of the 50 (24.65) and 100 (53.90) freestyles, as well the 100 butterfly (59.45). All three of these times hold the top-seeds in the conference. Lauren Clune won the 1000 freestyle in a time of 11:08.40, which is the second-fastest time in the conference. The 200 freestyle relay team of Lindsey Perez, Mikaela Schnell, Katie Wingert and Freeman won the double-dual in 1:40.60. The Messiah men lost to both Susquehanna and Gettysburg. The lone individual win came from Aaron Eckman in the 1000 freestyle (10:25.28). Dakota Schmalz had a respectable second place finish in the 200 butterfly (2:02.94).

On Sunday, Misericordia men’s and women’s swimming both topped Lycoming. Dani Blass won the 100 breaststroke in 1:12.07. Rachel Finnegan won the 100 freestyle (57.6). Taylor Grenier took the 100 backstroke in 1:04.1. Aryn Zimmerman had a first-place finish in the 200 freestyle (2:05.18). This quartet paired up in the 200 medley relay to bring home another win (1:57.43). Thomas Scott led the men. Scott, usually a breaststroker, won the 200 and 500 freestyles, 1:49.49 and 4:59.99, respectively. Joe Grzech took two individual events, the 100 and 200 backstrokes in 54.7 and 2:00.53. John Brady also helped his team score a victory when he clocked two wins in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. For the Warriors, senior Danielle Loiseau proved again to be the strongest asset to her team after she posted three individual first-place finishes. Loiseau won the 1000 (11:46.35) and 500 freestyles (5:34.54), and the 200 individual medley (2:22.38). Other individual wins came from Alexia Follweiler in the 200 butterfly (2:25.29) and Nina McGahey in the 200 breaststroke (2:49.41). Isaac Thomas won the 200 butterfly in 2:03.53, while Dan Woods took the 100 freestyle in 49.47 and the 200 individual medley in 2:04.34.

Both the Arcadia men’s and women’s teams topped Ocean County College (OCC) and Wilkes in a tri-meet Saturday. The women were able to come away with wins in 10 out of 11 events. Whitney Boeckel won the 100 (1:02.06) and 200 individual medley (2:23.20). Her 100 backstroke time broke the Lenox Pool record by .78. Melissa Malik, Becca Burkhart and Lindsay Fortier swept the 50 freestyle. In the 100 freestyle, teammates Lillie Curtis and Anna Sweeney fought to the finish, 59.83 and 1:00.74, for first and second place. Matthew Morano finished first in the 200 freestyle (1:52.45) with teammate Collin Andrew in second (2:02.86). Morano also won the 500 freestyle in 5:09.65, with fellow Knight, Will Nolter, in second (5:36.45). Wilkes had some impressive swims from Chris Bright, who won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:11.17. Will Hauze managed a third place finish in the 200 freestyle (2:05.70). Beth Chmil won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:15.66 and touched in second in the 200 individual medley (2:29.13). Lauren Merli had a respectable third place finish in the 100 freestyle (1:01.36).

Albright

Amanda Osterlind should lead the Lions in the 1000 (10:58.96) freestyle against Messiah, though the Falcons’ Lauren Clune will be close (11:08.40). The 500 freestyle should come down-to-the-wire between Osterlind (5:27.15) and Clune (5:25.39). Gwen Stefan could also have a close race in the 200 freestyle (2:00.80) against Messiah swimmer, Kaitlin Wingert (1:57.93). They hold the top two times in the conference for the event.

Leading Albright will most likely be Ken Richardson, who has a three second lead in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.03) against Messiah’s top breaststroker, Charles Sagaser (1:05.39). There should be a close race between Sagaser and Tyler Huizing in the event for second place (1:05.39). Ricky Sutton should come away with multiple wins in the distance events at Albright’s next meet. Sutton’s best time is a 4:58.91 in the 500 freestyle, the top time in the conference, while Messiah’s top time in the event is only a 5:02.95, held by Aaron Eckman. In the 1000, Sutton still has a solid lead on Eckman’s fastest time of a 10:25.28, with a five-second advantage ahead of him (10:20.83).

Messiah

Messiah’s Tara Freeman will most likely take away multiple victories in their upcoming meet. Freeman holds multiple top times in the conference that go unmatched by Albright in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. One of the closest races of the night will be in the women’s 100 breaststroke. Messiah’s top swimmers in the event are Sarah Woods (1:11.69) and Emily Reale (1:12:11), while Albright’s Lauren Cormier is not far behind them (1:12.34).

Nathan Brown and Matthew Runtas should go head-to-head in the 50 freestyle, Brown leading Runtas by .33 with his best in-season time of 21.80. Messiah should overpower the Lions in the 200 butterfly as Dakota Schmalz (2:02.94) lead’s Albright’s Mitchel Cain (2:05.80). There could be a fight for second place between Cain and Nicholas Wieder (2:05.66). Aaron Eckman should put up a solid fight against the Lion’s Ricky Sutton, who Eckman only falls a few seconds behind in the distance freestyle events.

Lycoming

A fight for first place in the 50 freestyle should happen between Daniel Apostolu (22.65) and Swarthmore’s Carlo Sivilotti (22.51). Joshua Thomas should have competition for a victory in the 100 butterfly (54.29) against Swarthmore swimmer, Andrew Steele, who is only .32 faster than Thomas’ best in-season time (53.97). It is possible there will be a close second place finish between Andrew Steele and Swarthmore’s Daniel Woods in the 200 individual medley, 2:06.82 and 2:07.41, respectively.

Danielle Loiseau should lead the Warriors in the 1000 freestyle (11:46.35) and 500 freestyle (5:34.54), which she recently swam in a meet against Misericordia. Teammates Loiseau and Alexia Follweiler should be in a good position take second and third in the 100 butterfly, 1:03.05 and 1:05.47, respectively. Swarthmore’s Ashley Hwang should come out on top, her best in-season time at a 1:01.36.

Farleigh Dickinson

FDU should have strong showings from freshman Connor Zero in both the 100 butterfly (1:00.15) and the 50 freestyle (23.69). Sophomore Stephen O’Brien could possibly put up a fight in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.80).

On the women’s side Sarah Bennett, who has proven herself to be FDU’s lead swimmer, should be the team’s top scorer in the 100 butterfly (1:05.20) and 50 freestyle (27.36).

Widener

Ian Gaynor should lead his team to victories in the 50 (20.72) and 100 (45.79) freestyles. In the 50 freestyle, Gaynor is almost a full two seconds faster than Franklin and Marshall’s (F&M) top sprinter, Ryan Caffrey (22.45). In the 100 freestyle, Jeffrey Hicks (49.16) should have a battle for second place against F&M’s Dennis Chen (49.43).

Erin Neugebauer holds the second-fastest time in the conference in the 100 breaststroke at 1:09.53. This should put her in a prime spot to bring home a victory against F&M’s Melissa Mullin (1:10.31). Christine Kunzler should post the top times for her team in the 50 (25.66) and 100 (55.28) freestyles. F&M’s Jillian Albus will challenge Kunzler in these events as she goes a 25.35 in the 50 freestyle and 56.24 in the 100 freestyle.

Misericordia

Dani Blass will be the women’s top seeds in the 100 (1:09.53) and 200 (2:31.68) breaststrokes. Blass should be able to walk away from the Diamond Invitational with two victories in both these events, as she holds the top times in the conference. Aryn Zimmerman should post the fastest time in the 50 freestyle (25.69) for the Cougars’, while teammate Morgan Hanadel should swim the fastest 100 freestyle Misericordia will post (56.68).

Thomas Scott should lead the Cougar’s in the Diamond Invitational in the breaststroke events. Scott holds the top two-fastest times in the conference in the 100 (1:01.19) and 200 (2:13.83) breaststrokes. Teammate John Brady should trail closely behind Scott in these events.

Arcadia

Whitney Boeckel should be the top swimmer for her team and come away with multiple victories at the Diamond City Invitational. Boeckel holds the top times in the 100 (1:02.06) and 200 (2:16.54) backstrokes. In the 200 individual medley, Boeckel should also post the fastest time for her team (2:21.54).

Matthew Morano, the top Arcadia sprinter, should lead the 100 (49.59) and 50 freestyles (22.76) for his team. Morano could possibly have a first place finish in the 200 freestyle (1:49.93). Misericordia’s Joshua Grzech should put up a fight against Morano (1:50.40).

Wilkes

Beth Chmil should lead her team in the 100 breaststroke (1:15.66) and the 200 individual medley (2:29.13) at the Diamond City Invitational. Lauren Merli should come away with a respectable finish in the 100 freestyle (1:01.36).

Chris Bright should lead the Colonels in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.17).

Hood

Cameron Rogers should lead his team at Diamond City Invitational in the 1000 (10:06.50) and 500 (4:59.22) freestyles. Rogers holds the top time in the conference for the 1000. Alexander Bodine could come away from the meet this weekend with a win in the 100 backstroke (55.11) in which he holds the top time in the conference.

Lauren Fogarty has the potential to lead her team in the 100 (1:02.33) and 200 (2:19.82) butterflies. Be on the look out for her to be a potential top scorer in the 200 individual medley (2:18.36).

Stevenson

Top swimmers for the Mustangs at the Diamond City Invitational should be Megan Grieshaber in the 100 butterfly (1:08.32), Alison Smith in the 200 individual medley (2:34.74) and 100 freestyle (1:01.73), and Devan Bateman in the 100 backstroke (1:08.60).

Zachery Cather will be the sole swimmer for his team. Cather should post respectable times in the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle.

King’s

Caroline Fitch and Gabrielle Corpuz should be the top competitors for the Lions. Fitch has the potential to post the fastest times for her team in the 1000 (11:50.87) and 500 (5:47.55) freestyles, while Corpuz should post the top showings for the Lions in the 100 (1:03.94) and 200 (2:21.41) backstroke.

Christopher Lukashewski, King’s top sprinter, should come away with the top times they will post in the 50 (22.85) and 100 (50.53) freestyles. Teammates Gavin Gagliardi and Lucas Crock should have a battle for the top 100 breaststroke spot for the Lions, as their best times are only .1 apart.

Schedule

November 21: Lycoming at Swarthmore Invitational
November 21: Widener at F&M Invitational
November 22: Albright at Messiah
November 22: Misericordia at Diamond City Invitational
November 22: Arcadia at Diamond City Invitational
November 22: Wilkes at Diamond City Invitational
November 22: Hood at Diamond City Invitational
November 22: Stevenson at Diamond City Invitational
November 22: King’s at Diamond City Invitational
November 22: Mount St. Vincent at Farleigh Dickinson

Allison Peters is a junior distance specialist at Albright College. Previously, she trained at The Atlantic Club, and the New Jersey Race Club as well as swam for the Point Pleasant Borough High School team.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use