The men’s version of the NESCAC championships has begun, hosted this year by Bowdoin college. The meet format encompasses some events not usually seen in a championship, such as the 50s of strokes. This first day is filled with such events, which cannot qualify a swimmer for the NCAA meet in March, but which may give an idea of strong combinations for relays.
The first event of the first finals session of the meet was the men’s 200 freestyle relay. Connecticut college posted the fastest time and qualified with a provisional NCAA B cut standard, as well as breaking a pool, meet and NESCAC record with their 1:21.57. The previous record was also held by a Conn team, set in 2009 at 1:21.68. The squad of Patrick McGinnis, Michael Fothergill, Drew Andre and Sam Gill accomplished this laundry list with some impressive splits, including a 19.72 out of senior Gill on the anchor leg. In second was Williams, who slipped under the NCAA B cut standard as well with a 1:23.26. Third place went to Amherst (1:23.56).
The men’s 50 breast went to Jake Tamposi of Williams. He posted a 25.59 to tie the pool record set last year by Stephan Koenigsbergerr of Middlebury. Second was Bates’ Andrew Briggs (26.01) and rounding out the top three was a 26.18 from Kirk Czelewicz of Conn.
The men’s 50 butterfly fell to an impressive swim by Ian MacKay of Middlebury. He was faster in prelims, resetting the NESCAC, meet and pool records with a 21.89, but his 22.01 in finals was perfectly adequate to capture the victory. Second place in 22.34 from Conn was Loring Bowen. Matthew Gagne of Bates took third (22.54).
The first “real” individual event of the day was the 500 freestyle, which Williams junior Thad Ricotta claimed by two seconds exactly in finals. He posted an NCAA B cut time of 4:28.46 to win the heat. In the runner up position was Ricotta’s teammate Chris Gronbeck (4:30.46). Amherst senior Parker Moody put up a 4:31.41 – another B cut time – good for third. In the B final, Amherst senior Nick Egan dropped three seconds to make a B cut and win the B final with a 4:35.61.
The 50 backstroke went to Benjamin Lin, a freshman for Williams who has distinguished himself so far this year. He put up a 22.70 in finals to break the met record set last year by a T Walsh from Conn at 22.77. Michael Forthergill of Conn was second in 23.11 with Hamilton’s Reid Schwartz taking t hird (23.29).
The second “real” individual event of the evening was the men’s 200 IM. Nathaniel Boley drove home to claim the win with a 1:50.24, just ahead of teammate Timothy Lattimer who finished second in 1:50.36. After the 1-2 Ephs came Tuft freshman Will Metcalfe with a 1:51.53. All three of the top finishers made NCAA B cuts and were also under the 2013 selected time for the NCAA meet itself.
The sprint kings brought some speed for the 50 after the IM. MacKay of Middlebury returned to the water to claim his title in the event, posting a 20.80 for a B cut. In second was Conn’s Andre, followed by teammate Patrick McGinnis (20.92 to 21.03, respectively.) In 2013 it took a 20.38 to be invited to the NCAA meet.
Tuft senior Johann Schmidt took down yet another record when he stepped up on the boards to post the victorious diving score of the night. His 578.15 broke a pool record set in 2001 by M Gestaldo of Messsalonskee at 576.31. Second on boards for Amherst was Colin White (536.55), followed by Schmidt’s teammate Matthew Rohrer (528.90).
To wrap up the final session of the night, it was the men’s 400 medley relay. Conn took it out from the beginning and never relinquished its death grip on first. No surprises, they took down the NESCAC, meet and pool records with the 3:18.70 they posted. The team was comprised of Gill, Czelewicz, Bowen and Andre. In second was Amherst at 3:19.54 – under the NCAA B cut. Williams was also under in third place at 3:19.68. In 2013 the invite time was a 3:22.38.
Team scores through event 9:
Williams (636.5), Amherst (607), Conn (566), Tufts (429), Bates (349), Bowdoin (321.5), Middlebury (275), Hamilton (189), Colby (158), Wesleyan (136), Trinity (114)
Tomorrow’s session begins at 10 am for prelims with a 6pm finals start time. Live results can be found here.