By Dominic Capone

It was a good week for Fordham Swimming and Diving, as both the men and women picked up victories against the Fairfield Stags. Competing at Fairfield, the men got their first win of the season, moving to 1-3 on the season with a 188-92 statement victory, while the women won 171-117, their second in a row, improving to 3-1.

Three Fordham men’s swimmers won two events each en route to 12 total wins for the men. Senior Ethan D’Arcangelo and juniors Isiah Magsino and Christopher Craig led the way for the men. D’Arcangelo won the 100 SCM (Short Course Meters) backstroke in 1:01.08 and the 200 SCM individual medley in 2:16.30. Craig won both diving events with scores of 228.45 (1M) and 221.70 (3M). Magsino also took home two events winning the 200 SCM breaststroke in 2:27.97 and the 100 SCM butterfly in 58.76 seconds.

Individual winners also included freshman Nathaniel Guenther, junior Travis Monahan, freshman Danny McGowan and graduate student Joe Mercurio. Guenther won the 200 SCM backstroke in 2:14.47. Freestyle winners included McGowan (800 SCM freestyle – 8:43.19), Mercurio (1:08.05) and Monahan (50 SCM freestyle – 23.95).

Mercurio has been impressive all year and won again this week. When asked which swimmer has made the most strides as the season has gone on, coach Steve Potsklan answered, “Joe Mercurio and Mia Bullock.”

For the relay team, the men won the 200 SCM medley in 1:45.62, led by freshman Auston Ramsay, Monahan, senior Tommy Christensen and Mercurio. The men also won the 200 SCM freestyle in 1:38.45 behind junior Jack Madigan and freshmen Bryce Bollesen, Lucas Keh and McGowan.

The women also had themselves a day as they came away with 10 wins of their own. Freshman Michelle Martin and sophomore Molly Dunn led the charge with two wins each.

Martin placed first in the 100 SCM backstroke in 1:06.53 and the 200 SCM backstroke in 2:27.99. Dunn won both diving events with scores of 244.20 in the 1M and 231.75 in the 3M.

Senior Erin McBride took the win in the 800 SCM freestyle in a time of 9:23.96, while junior Tara Brunner took the win in the 50 SCM freestyle in 27.07. Senior Nele Albers won the 200 SCM breaststroke in 2:40.59, and freshman Hannah McGee won the 200 SCM individual medley in 2:24.64. During the relays the Rams’ team of freshman Caitlin McNary, junior Gabrielle Celia, Martin and Brunner won the 200 SCM medley relay in 2:00.88. Sophomores Samantha McDonald and Paulina Watson, Albers and freshman Noelle Theodoulou winning the 200 SCM freestyle relay in 1:50.88.

With 22 total wins in a dominant performance, the Rams look like they have turned a corner.

The Rams will try to capitalize on their impressive performance when they compete at the Bucknell Invitational in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania on Nov. 17 to 19.