Last season, the women's swimming and diving team lost to only one opponent: Springfield College. But this past Saturday, the women triumphed over Springfield in a 180-120 victory. The men, while victorious in some races, fell to Springfield by a score of 167-133.
Freshman Tatum Gormley placed first in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:30.22) and the 200-yard butterfly (2:11.90). Gormley and freshman teammates Noel Elgamal and Claire Stephens, along with junior Chelsea Pfohl, won the 200-yard medley relay (1:52.61). Stephens took honors in the 50-yard freestyle (25.31), and Pfohl won the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.21) and 100-yard butterfly (59.85) events.
"To finish off the season undefeated is definitely a goal of ours," Gormley said. "But we're just taking it one race at a time."
Sophomore Regina Romain swam to a first-place finish in the 200-yard backstroke (2:14.11). Fellow sophomores Molly Rippe and Kristen Fujii also swam well. Rippe won the 500-yard freestyle (5:16.50) while Fujii captured the 200-yard individual medley (2:13.94).
Head coach Lauren Beam said she was proud of her team's performance against the Pride.
"They are just a great group of athletes who understand how to work as a team," Beam said. "[They have] worked hard to achieve what we've done so far this season."
The divers also had a successful day against Springfield. Sophomore Kelly Dietz continued her stellar season with NCAA qualifying scores of 258.88 in the one-meter dive, and 280.45 in the three-meter dive.
Despite some strong individual performances, the men's team was unable to defeat Springfield College.
Sophomore Bryson Naylor continued his dominant season in the pool, posting first-place finishes in the 200-yard individual medley (2:01.51), 500-yard freestyle (4:52.67), and 1,000-yard freestyle (10:03.96).
"Bryson is the most versatile swimmer on the team," head coach Bob Sorensen said. "I knew I could count on him to give a solid performance."
Sophomore James Bedell was victorious in the 200-yard freestyle (1:46.12) and in the 100-yard butterfly (52.21). Bedell joined Naylor, junior captain Andy King and senior Eric Pcholinski in the first-place 400-yard freestyle relay team (3:16.38).
Junior Max Norris tallied up a season-high score of 280.95 in the one-meter dive, but walked away with a second-place finish.
"This meet was a big breakthrough for Max," assistant swimming and diving coach Scott Donie said. "He has shown me that he can compete with the top, national level guys."
The Violets will dive back into the water this Saturday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. when they host The College of New Jersey at Palladium Athletic Facility.
