3 Meets To Watch In Final NCAA D3 Dual Action

Photo Courtesy: John Valenzuela

By Cathleen Pruden, Swimming World College Intern

For many schools, conference championships begin in just over a week. The majority of the top 25 Division 3 programs are idle this weekend. But, a few take to the pool in the final tune up before taper time.

Featured Meets

1. NYU Invite

Friday and Saturday, the Fashion Institute of Technology (NJCAA), Division 2 Bridgeport and LIU Post, and Division 3 NYU, Stevens, and Merchant Marine (diving only) will compete at the NYU Invitational.

The Violet women are ranked sixth nationally and the Ducks aren’t too far behind in 16th. The Bridgeport women are the 17th ranked Division 2 team, just ahead of 20th LIU Post. With this many ranked teams, a number of races should be close. In the 200 freestyle, NYU’s Hannah Bergh has posted a 1:52.77 just ahead of Haley Wen (1:53.13), while Stevens’ top time is Danielle Caruso (1:54.13). The Division 2 teams will also bring tough competition. LIU Post’s Meghan Brazier has swum a 1:52.21, while Bridgeport’s Nina Stegu has recorded a 1:52.77 this season.

The NYU men are currently ranked seventh while Stevens is 11th in Division 3. The Bridgeport men are 18th in Division 2, and could set the tone this weekend. Ivan Capan has swum a 54.88 100 breaststroke, well ahead of NYU’s Jacob Parker (57.35) and Stevens’ David Duque (57.29). In the 200 IM, Capan (1:49.18) should be followed closely by NYU’s Philip Kang (1:50.97).

2. CMS vs. Pomona Pitzer

On the women’s side, the number 19 Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens will face SCIAC rival Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Saturday morning. In the 100 freestyle, the Sagehens’ Madison Kauahi has posted a season best 53.13, just ahead of teammates Cayla Nishizaki (53.96) and Angela Ling (54.00). CMS’ Kelly Ngo (53.85) and Riley Hoffman (54.08) should make a great match. The Athenas’ Naomi Ngo holds the second fastest time in the conference in the 200 butterfly (2:10.96), but the Sagehens’ Chrisi Morrison is just behind (2:12.20). These teams are the conference’s top two in three of the five relays, though the 200 freestyle relay is the closest, with Pomona-Pitzer posting a season best time of 1:37.48 to CMS’ 1:39.14.

The men’s relays are an even tighter match. CMS has swum a 1:24.71 200 freestyle relay to Pomona-Pitzer’s 1:25.84. The individual events are equally close. In the 100 breaststroke, Sagehen teammates Teddy Koerner (58.41) and Nick Lewis (58.94) hold the SCIAC’s second and fifth fastest times, with CMS’ Tyler Welty (58.47) and Aaron Lutzker (58.67) sandwiched in between. In the 200 backstroke, Pomona-Pitzer’s Erik Garcia has posted a conference leading 1:54.79, though CMS swimmers are on his tail, holding the second through fifth fastest times.

3. The Maine Event

The meet with one of the punniest names in college swimming will feature two NESCAC schools, Bates and Bowdoin, and the University of New England. The Bates women are currently ranked 15th. All three teams will be just under a week away from conference championship competition when they dive in on Saturday. In the 100 backstroke, Bates has seen two swimmers dip under the 1:00 barrier (Sarah Daher-58.39 and Whitney Paine-59.29), while Bowdoin’s Mariah Rawding (1:00.53) and Holly Rudel (1:01.07) are knocking at the door. There should be a close match in the distance events. In the 1000, Bates’ Nell Houde (10:44.23) and Julia Smachio (10:44.96) lead the way, ahead of Caroline Wyatt‘s (10:46.18).

The men’s competition will be a tuneup for these NESCAC competitors, who will be two weeks out from their conference championship. In the 200 butterfly, Bates’ Matt Puckace (1:59.53) is 19th in the conference, while Bowdoin’s Daniel Williams (2:02.24) and Jr Chansakul (2:02.44) and Bates’ Chase Lis (2:02.67) should have a great race. In the 50 freestyle, Bates’ Theodore Pender (21.59) paces the field, while Bowdoin’s Logan House (22.03) and John Lagasse (22.05) follow.

CSCAA Top 25 Schedule

Men

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Women

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