Patriot League Championships – Men and Women
- Wednesday, February 17 – Saturday, February 20
- S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (Eastern Time Zone)
- Defending Champion: Navy men & Navy women (results)
- Live results
- Live video
- Championship Central
Navy extended its leads in both the women’s and men’s contests at the 2016 Patriot League Championships, amid much excitement and several record-breaking swims.
In the women’s 500 free, Boston University senior Steph Nasson avenged her 2015 to Navy senior Rachael Dudley. This year, both women were faster, and it was an even closer race. Nasson led wire to wire, and while Dudley put forth a heroic effort on the last 50, Nasson got the touch, 4:47.04 to 4:47.22. Army’s Sabrina Mortell was third with 4:59.59, more than seven seconds faster than her seventh-place finish last year. This final race settles the score at 2 wins each over the last four years: Nasson won in 2016 and 2014, while Dudley picked up gold in 2015 and 2013.
The men’s 500 was just déjà vu all over again, or vu déjà perhaps. The 2016 podium consisted of the same three names as those from 2015 although in a different order. This time, Navy senior Noah Martin made it to the top for the first time, with a huge 4:17.96. Classmates Alex Nickell (4:21.48) and two-time champion and Patriot League record-holder, Thomas Duvall (4:21.58), finished second and third. Bucknell’s Louis Behnen (4:21.91) was, once again, fourth.
Navy freshman Lauren Barber broke the league and meet records in the 200 IM in prelims by nearly a second; she then came back in finals to lower it another half-second, winning with 1:57.89. Barber was 4.5 seconds ahead of second-place Ellen Bradford of Navy (2:02.29) and five ahead of third-place Mika Spencer of BU (2:02.96).
2015 runner-up Quinn Smith of BU won the men’s 200 IM in 1:47.85, a .3 improvement over last year. Navy freshman Brayden Lauffer went 1:48.05 for second, while Lehigh’s Jacob Moyer (1:48.67) just out-touched Bucknell’s Chris Devlin (1:48.72) for third.
Navy’s Kenzie Margroum clocked a 22.71 to win the women’s 50 free over defending champion Kaitlyn Ruffing of Lehigh (22.88) and two-time champion Molly Mucciarone of Army West Point (23.03).
Army West Point freshman Brandon McCredie came away with the victory in the men’s 50 free with 20.13. Jamal Willis of Lehigh (20.23) was runner-up for the third year in a row. Third place went to Navy’s Joseph Jaime (20.27).
In women’s 1-meter diving, Boston University swept the top two spots with Kyra Tatlow (269.60 points) and Kalli Roebelen (263.90 points). Defending champion, Navy’s Julie Jesse, was a mere .55 back with 263.35 points.
Navy won the women’s 400 medley relay with the quartet of Elizabeth Graeff, Barber, Hannah Briant, and Maddie Thompson, who combined for 3:39.01 for a new pool record. Army West Point scored second with 3:43.89, while Bucknell picked up the bronze in 3:44.75.
The Midshipmen broke the meet record in the men’s 400 medley relay with a 3:10.70 collective performance from David Carlson, Marlin Brutkiewicz, Jonathan Debaugh, and Duvall. Army West Point went 3:15.56 for second, while BU placed third with 3:17.43.
Women’s Scores
- Naval Academy 354.5
- Boston University 243.5
- Army West Point 167
- Lehigh University 152
- Bucknell University 143
- Colgate University 90
- Loyola University 87
- Lafayette Swimming 58
- American University 55
- College of the Holy Cross 49
Men’s Scores
- Naval Academy 340.5
- Army West Point 208
- Boston University 197.5
- Bucknell University 160
- Lehigh University 132
- Loyola University 121.5
- Colgate University 90.5
- Lafayette Swimming 75
- College of the Holy Cross 53
- American University 32