Losing to Jeffs becomes water under the bridge for swimmers

Author: Allison Ortega

Former collegiate swimmer President Ronald D. Liebowitz and his family were among the many members of the college community who showed up at the Natatorium on Saturday for the men's and women's swimming and diving teams' first dual meet of the season against Amherst. They did not leave disappointed. The exceptionally close contest provided non-stop action and featured many highlights for the Panthers. Perhaps most impressive was the men's 163-135 team victory, which marked just the second Panther win over the Lord Jeffs in the program's 20-year history.

"It was obvious that our men had something to prove on Saturday in their first meet of the season. I could tell from their focus and energy all week that they were ready, but I really had no idea that we would win so many events," said Coach Peter Solomon. "Having home pool advantage with many parents and spectators cheering played into the excitement of the meet for both the men's and women's teams."

The meet's opening event, the 200 medley relay, proved to be the harbinger of the impressive performances that followed all afternoon. The Panthers took both first and second places in the relay, with the "A" relay team of Zach Woods '09, Tim Lux '07, Rob Collier '07 and John Rayburn '06.5 posting a winning time that Solomon noted is currently one second better than any other NESCAC performance to date.

The Panthers then proceeded to hold Amherst All-American Ethan Treat winless in his best events. First Collier edged Treat in the 200 fly. Later in the meet, after he already won the 100 and 200 backstroke events, Woods claimed his third individual victory by defeating Treat in the 200 IM.

Sophomore Kevin O'Rourke's win in the 500 free with his personal best swim and Lux's multiple breaststroke victories also proved to be valuable contributions to the men's triumph against Amherst.

The most significant advantage for the Panthers' path to victory, however, was diver Michael Young '07. After spending an entire year studying abroad in Germany and Russia, Young returned to competition for the first time on Saturday. Showing no sign of rust, he was triumphant in both the one and three-meter diving events. Young's gutsy performance was emblematic of the way the entire men's team swam in route to their historic victory.

On the women's side, the Panthers were unable to duplicate the men's team victory as the Lord Jeffs won the meet 162-136. Nevertheless, the women had many strong performances on the afternoon as well. Maegan Olivos '07, who finished sixth in both the 200 and 500 yard freestyle, commented that the women drew strength from the supportive crowd at the Natatorium. "We had fast competition and there was a lot of energy at the pool, which was reflected in our overall performance," she said.

Marika Ross '08 led the Panthers with victories in the 100 and 200 butterfly in times that met the NCAA "B" Consideration Standards. Moreover, she upset Amherst sophomore Meghan Sterns in her specialty event, the 100 free.

Diver Alanna Hanson '08 helped Middlebury sweep all of the afternoon's diving events, with wins in the one and three-meter competitions. Despite the loss, the Panthers hope to exact revenge against the Lord Jeffs in February when the teams meet again at the NESCAC Championships.

Solomon said he was proud of how both teams pulled together for the Amherst meet and excited by the prospect of future successes.

"We are on the threshold of a great season in so many ways," said Solomon.