Press Release courtesy of Wagner Athletics.
The Wagner College Swimming and Diving team kicks off its 2017-18 season on Friday, when the Seahawks travel to Northeastern for their first dual meet of the year.
Ahead of Friday’s lid-lifter, the Green and White was predicted to again finish third in the Northeast Conference’s (NEC) annual prize. Despite losing two all-time greats in Anu Nihipali and Katja Claesson to graduation, Wagner returns a host of NEC medalists.
Under the direction of two-time NEC Coach of the Year, Colin Shannahan, who enters his sixth season on Grymes Hill, the Green and White will be led by senior captains Maddie McNichol (Downingtown, PA / Henderson), Leahi Camacho (Kailua Kona, HI / Kealakene), and Erin Finn (Middletown, NJ / Middletown North).
McNichol is the defending NEC champion in the 1650 Free, as she finished last year’s championship race in 17:08.68. Camacho was a three-time finalist at last year’s NEC Championships, placing fifth in the 400 IM (4:30.49), sixth in the 200 Fly (2:06.22), and seventh in the 500 Free (5:03.08), while setting personal best times in all three races. Finn was part of the 400 Medley Relay that picked up a second-place finish (3:52.42) at the ECAC Championships, while setting personal bests in the 50 Free (24.97) and 100 Fly (57.18) at the NEC Championships.
Other returning individual medalists for Shannahan include sophomore Kelli Boston (Roseville, CA / Woodcreek), who finished second in the 400 IM and 200 IM at last year’s NEC title meet, as well as senior diver Sam Lavrich (Audubon, PA / Methacton), who swept both events at last year’s ECAC Championships, in addition to setting a school record with a 244.45-point total in the 1-meter competition at last year’s Frank Elm Invitational.
Last season, the Seahawks and Huskies met at the LIU Tri-Meet, hosted by LIU Brooklyn. In splitting the meet, McNichol earned a first-place finish in the 1000 free (10.32.27), while finishing second in the 200 free (1:57.61). Junior Andrea Gustafsson(Malmo, Sweden / ProCivitas Privata Gymnasium) finished first in the 100 IM (1:01.37), while Camacho touched second in both the 500 free (5:14.43) and 200 fly (2:09.95).
Friday’s meet also marks the collegiate debuts for 12 incoming swimmers and three divers, a collection of talented swimmers who will add valuable depth to the Seahawk lineup. ason coaches’ poll, the league announced on Tuesday.