Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Both Have Strong Weekends

Fordham+Swimming+and+Diving+closed+out+its+calendar+year+with++the+annual+Bucknell+Invitational.+%28Courtesy+of+Fordham+Athletics%29

Fordham Swimming and Diving closed out its calendar year with the annual Bucknell Invitational. (Courtesy of Fordham Athletics)

For the first time since the opening meet of the season, both the men’s and women’s swim and dive had a spotless record, as they traveled north to Fairfield on Wednesday. The men picked up their first victory since Oct. 18, with a 162–75 win. The women maintained their pristine season, capturing their fifth triumph in just as many meets (175–67).

The men finally put it all together, touching first in all but one event. Ethan Murray, a freshman from Ridgefield, Connecticut, lead the way for the Rams with a pair of wins. He lead the pack in the 200 SCM freestyle in 1:56.71, as well as in the 400 SCM freestyle in 4:13.50.

This was an overall team effort from the men, with eight other individuals taking home a first-place finish. Some of these winners included junior Bryce Bollesen (50 SCM freestyle — 23.83), sophomore Spencer Clarke (200 SCM IM — 2:10.48) and Max Asnis (200 butterfly — 2:11.75).

They also were able to deliver in the relays, touching first in the 400 SCM medley relay behind Clarke, junior Patrick Wilson, senior Casey Sawyer and sophomore Josh Stegen in 3:54.26. The 200 SCM freestyle relay of Stegen, Bollesen, senior Kevin Berry and Wilson also finished first in 1:35.36.

The men will look to maintain this momentum, as they challenge a 4–2 NJIT squad at home this Friday at home at 5 p.m.

The women, in typical fashion, cruised past the Stags. Natalie Ortof, the sophomore diver from Bayside, was the only multi-event winner for Fordham, scoring 254.10 on the one-meter board and 255.90 on the three-meter board.

Seven other Rams touched first against Fairfield, including junior Kate Magill in the 800 SCM freestyle (9:28.80), senior Amelia Bullock in the 200 SCM freestyle (2:07.61) and senior Theresa Mullen in the 50 SCM freestyle (27.32).

Kiara Norris, a sophomore from Collierville, Tennessee, remarked on the differences in scheduling from last year to this current season despite similar results.

“Last year, the women’s team was also undefeated in dual meets,” she emphatically commented, “but a majority of the swim meets were at home. While home meets are obviously super convenient, the away meets are always in a new location which brings a different type of energy.”

The women also found team success in the relays. The group of Bullock, freshman Alison Lin, junior Michelle Martin and junior Caitlin McNary placed first in the 400 SCM medley relay in 4:30.11. Additionally, the team of sophomore Kiara Norris, freshman Clare Culver, senior Catherine Alabanza and Mullen finished ahead of the pack in the 200 SCM freestyle relay in 1:49.47.

The women also are back in action on Friday, as they host the Stony Brook Seawolves at the Col. Francis B. Messmore Aquatic Center at 5 p.m. hoping to keep their perfect season alive.