Even though neither the men’s nor the women’s team won the MAAC swimming and diving championship this weekend, they still had something to be proud of.
When all was said and done, the women’s team had broken seven school records and one MAAC record at the events, held at Loyola College in Maryland last weekend.
The women’s team placed fourth with 402 points. The men’s team finished fifth, exceeding their sixth place finish of a year ago, accumulating 320 points.
Jen Masi ’07 broke the MAAC and school record in the 50-freestyle with a time of 24.24. She also finished second in the 100-yard freestyle in 53.25.
“I was very happy. I did the best I have ever done at championships,” Masi said. “All the hard work during the season and finding new practice techniques really helped out in the end.”
Masi qualified for the ECAC championships with her record setting times in the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle.
The women also had three record setting relay teams. The 200 medley relay team consisted of Masi, Brittany Hunter ’07, Sarah Dent ’08, and Elizabeth Lawlor ’08 got a school record time of 1:50.75. The 400 medley relay team captured a time of 4:04.08 and the 200 free relay team got 1:40.05. Hunter continued her school record-setting dominance by breaking four more records. She set records in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle, and the 1650 freestyle as well as taking part in two relay records.
“Brittany works very hard during practice and continues to impress us all and next year should be important to her because she will want to do her best,” Masi said. Lawlor broke two breaststroke records during the championship. She broke the 100 yard breaststroke time with a 1:08.09 and the 200 yard breaststroke in 2:28.95. She also took part in the three relay record setting finishes. Lawlor and Hunter as well as Masi for ECACs.
“I think overall the team did well, even though we didn’t win,” said Masi. “We supported each other during our races and that helped us get into the meet and helped us swim our best.”
Diver Katie Yee ’08 finished seventh on the three and one meter board with scores of 298.80 and 196.75 respectively.
The men finished better than expected, beating Niagara, to whom they had previously lost earlier in the year. Sean Killelea ’06 was the highlight for the team over the week posting a 4:14.56 in the 400 yard individual medley and 1:40.16 in the 200 medley relay. Diver Rob Penwell ’06 finished sixth on the one meter board with a score of 182.70. Diego Ibarra ’07 finished seventh on the three meter board with a 307.50. “As a team we came prepared and finished better than expected,” said Ibarra. “We should be happy with where we got towards the end of this season.”
Marist, the defending champions for both men and women, captured both crowns again with Rider and Loyola finishing second and third in both men and women.
The MAAC released its 2006 All-Academic team which included eight Stags.
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