The men of Rider University look primed to repeat as champions of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), sweeping both men’s relays on opening night while breaking the conference record in the 800 free relay and individual 200 free.
For the first time this year, the MAAC switched to the popular 4-day championship meet format that puts the 200 medley and 800 free relays by themselves on day 1. Between men and women, that set up four events as a sort of teaser for the remainder of the conference championship.
The Rider men repeated as 800 free relay champs, breaking their own conference record set back in 2013. The team of Zack Molloy, Sam Cramer, Michael Regan and William Molloy raced to a 6:38.65, crushing the meet record by 6 seconds.
They needed to get under the mark by that much just to win the event, though, as Marist also cracked the old record with a 6:40.09.
Zack Molloy, Rider’s star freshman and former YMCA National Champion, was the key piece of that relay, leading off in a blazing 1:37.19 that’s faster than the conference record in the 200 free. Cramer was 1:39.26 on the second leg, staking the Broncs to a big lead.
Marist kept pace in that leadoff leg, though, with sophomore Ryan Murphy going 1:37.49 and also getting under the old conference record.
On the women’s side, the event went to Canisius in a 4-second blowout. Defending champs Saint Peter’s led early, but Canisius took over during the second leg and pressed its advantage from there. Freshman anchor Rebecca Anthone was 1:52.32 as the team went 7:34.76, with the reigning team conference champs Marist second.
The Rider men also won the 200 medley relay, defending their 2014 title there as well. Matthan-Matthew Martir, Adam Phillips, Shane Tubb and Ian Flynn combined to go 1:30.24, getting field-best splits from Phillips (24.91 breaststroke) and Flynn (20.03 freestyler) along the way.
Saint Peter’s was second, going 1:30.96.
In the women’s medley, it was Saint Peter’s defending their 2014 title with a 1:45.17. That barely nipped Marist, relegating the red foxes to another runner-up finish. Saint Peter’s opened and closed with the field’s best legs in their respective strokes. Matea Samardzic was 26.41 on backstroke (the only 26-second backstroker in the field) and Rachel Wuko split 22.34 on freestyle (the field’s only 22-second free split).
Team Scores
After day 1, it’s Rider clearly leading for the men, while things are tight as can be on the women’s side. Winning one relay apiece, Canisius and Saint Peter’s are tied for the ladies lead at 72, with defending conference champs Marist just 4 points back.
Men’s
1. Rider – 80
2. Saint Peter’s – 66
3. Marist – 62
4. Bryant – 60
5. Canisius – 54
6. Manhattan – 50
7. Iona – 48
8. Niagara – 46
9. Fairfield – 42
Women’s
1. Canisius – 72
1. Saint Peter’s – 72
3. Marist – 68
4. Rider – 54
4. Iona – 54
4. Siena – 54
7. Niagara – 50
8. Fairfield – 44
9. Manhattan – 40
That Molloy kid went 1:35.66 last season. He must’ve been wearing a drag suit.
Tell Bobby.