West Chester sophomore Victor Polyakov rewrote the record books at the Frank Elm Invite in Rutgers this weekend, winning three events, setting meet records in all three, and taking down the Division II national record in the 500 free.
Polyakov went 4:20.26 in that 500 free, the first individual event of the meet for the men. The Russian, in his first year with West Chester, also won the mile and 200 free. His 1650 time of 15:19.23 would have placed him second at last year’s Division II NCAAs. He also went 1:39.21 in the 200 free, although he appeared to focus much more on the 800 free relay closing that session – he went 1:36.86 leading off West Chester’s winning relay team. On top of those swims, Polyakov came off of the mile to swim the 100 free, narrowly missing the win, but going 45.29. All of Polyakov’s swims were under the previous Frank Elm meet records.
Though Polyakov and his West Chester teammates dominated the relays, winning 4 of the 5, it was the U.S. Military Academy that took the overall team title. USMA won the 200 free relay to open the meet and won largely on depth, taking first in only a pair of events. Max McKay won the 200 back and Christopher Szekely took the 100 free.
Three more men won multiple events: Joel Berryman of Drexel took the 50 free (21.16) and 100 back (49.77), David McCormick won the 200 IM (1:49.88) and 400 IM (3:56.94) for West Chester, and his teammate Bogdan Grebenyuk took both breaststroke events, going 54.80 in the 100 and 1:58.47 in the 200.
On the women’s side, Columbia paced the meet, winning over Rutgers by just over 50 points. Columbia took the 200 medley relay in 1:44.14 and had several women win events. Tiffany Warmuth set a meet record in the 200 free, going 1:49.95, then followed that up by going the exact same time, down to the hundredth, leading off the 800 free relay on the same night. Trudi Patrick won the 100 fly, Daniela Rueda the 1650 and Kristine Ng the 200 fly for Columbia.
The home team got a boost from Joanna Wu, who won three events for Rutgers. She took the top spot in the 500 free (4:55.16), 100 back (55.22) and 200 back (1:59.09).
West Chester won a pair of relays, the 400 medley and 400 free. Drexel set a meet record in winning the 200 free relay to open the meet, going 1:35.02, and Villanova won the 800 free relay.
Friday results available here.
Saturday results available here.
Sunday results available here.
Women’s Team Scores
1 Columbia University 1,378.50
2 Rutgers University Swimming 1,321.50
3 United States Military Academy 1,312.50
4 Wagner College 1,285.50
5 West Chester University 1,171
6 Drexel University 849
7 Villanova University 732
8 University of Massachusetts 243
9 Saint Peters University 236
10 Boston University 86
Men’s Team Scores
1 United States Military Academy 2,646.50
2 West Chester University 1,877.50
3 Drexel University 1,450
4 Villanova University 738
5 Saint Peters University 287
6 University of Massachusetts 227
7 Columbia University 53
West Chester women’s swimmer Kendall Somer sets new 200 breast record at the frank elm meet. 2:15:54
It’s DII. They have different eligibility requirements. Every DII in the country could have a 25 year old Sophomore. Nothing to get bent out of shape about.
Congrats to Victor and the WCU program!
25 -_-
25 year old sophomore….