The third night of the UNYSCSA Championships began with some serious action in the men’s 200 butterfly. Fourth place finisher last year, Cameron Martinez of Sarah Lawrence turned in a Championship record effort in prelims to break the record set last year by John Hu of Stevens at 1:50.95. Martinez’ prelims swim of 1:49.65 was bettered by his showing of 1:48.69 at night, rebreaking his own record. In second place was Union’s Zack Wahl (1:50.46) followed by Ithaca’s Lucas Zelehowsky (1:50.57). Both men would have also been under the old record had Martinez not broken it in prelims.
The second event of the night was no less impressive, and might have been moreso. Andrew Welch, a Union junior who was the defending champion in the 100 backstroke, claimed victory again and accomplished the same feet as his counterpart Martinez – breaking the Championship record in prelims and again in finals. To add to that, Welch also broke the Association record (the fastest anyone who swims for a school in the UNYSCSA has ever gone – at this meet or any other). He posted a 49.68 in the morning to best the 49.97 and 50.12 (Association and Championship, respectively) set in 2004 by Will Chidsey of LeMoyne. In finals, Welch dropped another .08 off that to finish up with a 49.60 – an NCAA B cut. Connor White of Ithaca was second (50.42) and Stevens’ Shawn Hanak claimed third (50.49).
The men’s 100 breaststroke saw Joshua Lefeber of Stevens stepping into the vacuum left by the departure of the prior year’s champion, Simas Jarasunas. Lefeber posted a 57.39 to win, holding off freshman from RIT Matt Rolleston who finished runner up in 57.91. Third went to another freshman from RPI – one Matt Schlehr who touched in a 58.02.
Men’s diving was off the one meter board. Defending champion for Ithaca, Matthew Morrison finished atop the standings with a 582.60 for points. That cracks the NCAA B cut. Second for RIT was Matt DePalo with a 498.75, also good for a B cut. Jeff Green of Nazareth was the third athlete to go over the requisite number of points to make a B cut in the 1 meter dive at 494.15.
The final event of the night was the men’s 800 freestyle relay, which was very quick. The Ducks came out on top, but it was a scrappy fight and both Stevens and Ithaca’s squads went under the Championship time standard established by Hartwick the previous year. Steven’s team of Alex Xu, Conor Arcuri, Tomasz Wolinski and Nick Noga posted a 6:43.73 to win, getting under the NCAA B cut time and the time selected in 2013. Ithaca’s squad came in second, less than two tenths behind with a 6:43.90 – also under both marks. Third place went to Alfred (6:47.09).
Team results through Event 28:
Stevens (1071), Ithaca (1025.5), Union (906.5), RPI (620), Hartiwck (618), Aflred (377), Nazareth (316.5), RIT (314), Vassar (262), Skidmore (258.5), Saint Lawrence (239), Clarkson (219), Sarah Lawrence (147), Utica (140)
On the women’s side, athletes continued to step it up from last year to this one. Maria McClure finished in third for Stevens last year in the 20o butterfly; this year she posted a 2:05.51 to make it under the NCAA B cut and win the crown. Second for Vassar was freshman Julia Cunningham in 2:06.12, also an NCAA B cut. Hartwick’s Lindsay Bierwert finished third (2:09.31).
Ithaca freshman Grace Ayer burst onto the scene last night and has kept it up. This time, shee posted a winning time in the 100 backstroke. Her 57.59 is under the NCAA B cut standard, as are the next two finishers’ times. Also from Ithaca, Megan Buisman finished in runner up with a 57.67. Then came Union freshman Christina Belforti in third with a 57.79.
With the graduation of Carissa Risucci, Brittany Geyer of Stevens has taken over the title of breaststroke champion. With her 1:04.99 she was well under the NCAA B cut time and secured an individual championship title for herself. Second was Rachel Clegg of Union (1:06.64) and third from Hartwick was Clare Nelson (1:07.18).
The final event of the night was the women’s 800 freestyle relay. Ithaca won with the squad of Ayer, Erin Hackett, Buisman and Elizabeth Gawrys. The team posted a 7:44.61 to win. In second was Stevens with a 7:46.57. Third went to Union (7:48.19).
Team scores through event 29:
Ithaca (965), Stevens (898), Union (694), Hartwick (643), Nazareth (505), RIT (488.5), Vassar (396.5), Alfred (363), RPI (345) Saint Lawrence (297), William Smith (269), Skidmore (211), Utica (112), Clarkson (109), Sarah Lawrence (107)
The final day of competition begins tomorrow. For live meet results, click here.