Last Saturday the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams traveled to Wesleyan, where they defeated both the Cardinals and the Trinity Bantams. The women beat Trinity 197-96 and Wesleyan 168-129, while the men also routed both squads with final scores of 213-80 and 219.50-67.50, respectively.
On the women’s side, Lela Garner ’16, Sophia Walker ’17 and Christine Anderson ’17 won big. Garner won the 200 freestyle and the 200 individual medley, Walker won the 100 free and 50 free, and Anderson took the one and three-meter dives.
“Lela Garner swam some really great races,” said co-captain Helen Newton ’14. “Not only did she finish first, but also in the last 100 meters she demolished everyone, which was really great to see.”
Newton had impressive races as well, finishing second to Wesleyan swimmer Roxy Capron in both the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke.
“She fell a little short, but was right on [Capron’s] heels and was just off her personal best time,” said Burnham.
Erin Houlihan ’17 also came through for the Polar Bears with a victory in the 500 free.
“She probably had the swim of the meet in the 500—a really smart and really strong race from her,” said Burnham.
Multiple winners for the men were Timothy Long ’17, who won both the 1000 and 500 free, and Thomas Kramer ’16, who took both the one- and three-meter diving events. Both Kramer and Anderson are now qualified for the national selection diving meet.
Other winners for the men were John Lagasse ’16 in the 100-meter breaststroke, JR Chansakul ’16 in the 200 breaststroke, Kevin Koh ’16 in the 100 butterfly, William Shi ’15 in the 50 free, and Chris Granata ’14 in the 200 butterfly.
“Chris swam a very smart race. He was really easily paced in the beginning and then emerged as the strongest guy in the second half of the race,” said Burnham. “He’s won most of the 200 flys in his career—around 75 percent.”
Joe Celestin ’15 also swam well for the Polar Bears, finishing the 100 fly with a personal best time.
The Polar Bears will swim at noon tomorrow at Colby.