By Gregory Wagner
This past Friday, the women’s swim team was downed by the Army West Point Black Knights at the Col. Francis B. Messmore Aquatic Center with a score of 160-139.
The team was once again led by junior Megan Polaha. Polaha ended the day with three individual victories as she finished first in the 200-yd butterfly, the 100-yd butterfly and the 200-yd individual medley.
Seniors Shannon and Chandler Lulley also had good days in the pool as they both worked their ways to first place finishes. Shannon finished first in the 50-yd freestyle, while Chandler won the 100-yd freestyle. Both Shannon and Chandler were also a part of the winning 200-yd medley relay team and the 400-yd freestyle relay team.
Yet, the highlight of the night came when sophomore diver Wendy Espina-Esquivel, a transfer from Nevada, marked her name into the Fordham diving record-book. In the one-meter dive, Wendy posted a score of 286.65 points breaking her previous record of 280.20 points set just a week ago. Espina-Esquivel also finished first in the three-meter dive.
The Rams ended up winning nine of the 16 events.
However, despite winning nine events and the efforts of Polaha, the Lulleys and Espina-Esquivel, the Rams were unable to capture the victory against the Black Knights.
Following her record-breaking performances, Espina-Esquivel was still not satisfied.
“While it feels good [to be breaking records], I want to keep breaking them,” she said.
Espina-Esquivel’s ambition and desire for improvement stems further than just the collegiate diving board as she is “expecting to go to the Olympic Games.”
Although disappointed about the close loss to the Army West Point Black Knights, Espina-Esquivel was happy with the fight that the Rams put up.
“I think that the team did well last week,” Espina-Esquivel said, “West Point is a tough rival, and we knew it would be tough competition.”
The women’s team, now 3-1, will take to the pool again on Saturday, Nov. 7, when it makes the trip up to Boston to compete against Boston University.
