Towson Closes Out First CAA Championships Victory in Emphatic Fashion

CAA Men's Champions Towson; Photo Courtesy: CAA Athletics

Towson won three of six events on the final day of the CAA Championships, claiming its first league crown in decisive fashion.

Towson scored 842.5 points to outdistance the five-team field en route to its first crown.

Men’s CAA Championships Results

Towson 842.5
UNC Wilmington 619
Drexel 531
William & Mary 495.5
Delaware 491

Towson again rode its freestyle depth to the necessary points. Michael Fazio finally got his first individual win of the meet, clocking in at 43.74 to beat a crowded field and lead three Tigers in the top four and four in the top six. Second was William & Mary’s Graham Hertweck in 43.84.

But Towson, in an event it won for the first time since 2009, claimed significant points with its depth. Ryan Baldino was third in 44.05, with Cody Stewart fourth and Luke Schwar sixth.

That group provided ample choices for the 400 freestyle relay, which made a run at the meet record by fell less than a half-second short. The foursome of Brian Benzing, Fazio, Stewart and Baldino went 2:54.55, with Fazio’s 43.08 leading the way. It nearly unseated William & Mary’s record from last year. The Tribe were second this year.

Benzing, who set the CAA record in the 100 breaststroke on Friday, settled for second in the 200 breast, his time of 1:58.38 coming up second to Kacper Karnik of Drexel (1:57.61). Towson’s Nick McClure won the 200 butterfly in 1:46.78, riding a stellar final 50 to overcome Drexel’s Paris Raptis.

Drexel had a prosperous final day in the pool. Will Soleo won the mile in 15:46.82, beating a duo of Delaware swimmers in Bryce Ciecko and Jacob Bishop.

Will Goldey of UNC Wilmington won the 200 backstroke in 1:46.70, opening up a wide lead over Delaware’s Zach Rowe and UNCW teammate Brent Hoshall.

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