Hot start continues for men and women swim programs

By LAUREN TAYLOR

Both the University of Mary Washington’s men and women swim teams have had an exceptional season and hope to see their hard work and commitment continue throughout this and further seasons. They have had much to work towards due to both personal goals, team goals, and the expectations of both the school and fans. The women’s team has a current win streak of 6 wins and no losses and a 1.000 percentage. The men’s team stands with a 4-1 record and a .800 percentage.

As reported in an earlier story this semester, both the men and women’s teams were predicted to win the Capital Athletic Conference title this year. They have dedicated many hours to practice to claim many wins throughout this season.

Recognition began early for both teams and many individuals. In early November, senior Stephanie Hallock was named the CAC Women’s Swimming Athlete of the Week. Hallock is also the reigning CAC swimmer of the year and was given this title after five individual victories and winning seven relay events during the start to the season.

This week, the women’s team has been names 36th in the nation by CollegeSwim.org with 546.79 percentage. The Eagles have been continuously showing out and putting up excellent performances. Last month, both teams featured on collegeswim.org. The men’s team was ranked as 26th nationally and the women placed in at 12th in the nation.

The most recent swim even was on Saturday, November 7th, at Goolrick Natatorium as a part of the Capital Athletic Conference action. The men’s team defeated Marymount University 177-60. Dylan Gore, Jeffrey Leckrone, Ricardo Bonilla-Vazquez, and Matthew Gartska won the200-yard medley with a time of 1:39.32. Dallas Tarkenton, Jake Schroth, Vance Solseth, and Gartska,  who compose the 200 free relay, place in first with a time of 1:28.26. Many individuals also won in their events.

Tyler Gimple won the 200-freestyle at 1:47.25, Dylan Gore placed at 54.63 in the 100 backstroke and 1:58.39 in the 200-backstroke, Kenyon Huber-Wilker in the 100-breaststroke at 1:01.73, Joshua McBryde won the 200 fly at 1:59.73 and the 100-fly at 1:59.73. The women’s team also beat Marymount 192-69, which puts them at 6-0 for the season. Katie Fago, Anna Corley, Shannon Coryell, and Stephanie Hallock, the 200 yard medley relay team, won at 1:50.45. Also placing in first was the 200 free relay, made of Coryell, Hannah Hagy, Fago, and Hallock, with a time of 1:39.57. The women’s team had many swimmers also win their individual events. Murphy went on to win individual events- the 200freestyle at 1:57.74 and the 200 breakstroke at 2:34.58.

The men and women’s swim teams will be back to compete again on December 4th and 5th in the Gettysburg College Invitational at 6:00 pm and 10:00 am, respectively.