Swimming sets new pool records

Ending its first semester of competitions by falling to Amherst, the Middlebury swimming and diving team redeemed itself this weekend toppling both Colby and Bates. The Panther men defeated Colby 165-97 and Bates 205-82, and the women conquered Colby 158-124 and Bates 183-117. Even after the long bus ride, the Middlebury competitors swiftly swam past the White Mules from Colby and the Bobcats from Bates, revealing their competitive drive and spirit.

Regardless of numerous illnesses and injuries on both the men’s and women’s team, those who were able to compete took the pool relentlessly and were proudly able to provide Middlebury with a victorious weekend. Overcoming the challenge of missing some key swimmers and divers, the Middlebury squad proved its depth and team unity.

Last year, Middlebury also was successful against the Maine teams. The men beat Colby 181-89 and Bates 230-57, while the women defeated Colby 179-101 and Bates 210-89. Both squads desired to uphold their triumphant history against these teams and they succeeded in doing so this past weekend.

“This past weekend, both the men’s and women’s teams showed great determination and drive in each race,” said Schulyer Beeman ’10. It imbued the team with confidence, love and excitement as each swimmer on the Middlebury team swam with increasing intensity and drive.

There were several significant individual and team accomplishments on the men’s side. Nick Daly ’12 won the 50-freestyle versus Colby, and took both the 200 and 500-freestyle in the Bobcats’ natorium. John Dillon ’11 captured the 200-freestyle, 100-intramedley and the 100-butterfly at Colby. Particularly significant was his 100-butterfly race, as he set a new pool record in the White Mules’ natorium, finishing with a time of 51.83.

In addition to these 3 wins, Dillon also took the 200 and 100-butterfly at Bates.

On the diving board, Omar Carmical ’12 took first in all four diving competitions in which he took part. Probably the biggest accomplishment of the weekend for the men was 200-freestyle relay team setting a new Bates pool record with a time of 1:26.64. The team included Dillon, Daly, Jay Li ’11 and Beeman.

The women also had tremendous success over the weekend. Jen Friedlander ’13 had a particularly strong weekend, winning both the 400-intramedley and the 100-butterfly at Colby, as well as the 200-butterfly, 500-freestyle, and 400-intramedley at Bates.

Another first-year swimmer, Salena Casha ’13, won both the 50- and 100- breastroke at Colby, and the 200-freestyle at Bates. Diver Meagan Collins ’12 provided several points for the team and also earned NCAA standards at Bates. She was given 254.77 points in the 1-meter dive and 258.07 in the 3-meter.

Coming up next, the Panthers face Hamilton at home on January 16th at 2 p.m.