The
last three weeks have been outstanding for the men and women's swim teams. Here are their accomplishments during that
time period:
On
J
anuary 8 the Dutchwomen broke a three-year, 20-meet losing streak by defeating
Hartwick, 153-75.
Senior
diver Sarah Steuer (Wilton, CT) qualified for the NCAA
Championship Meet on the three-meter board.
On
January 22 the Dutchmen rallied past Middlebury by winning the 200 freestyle
relay—the last event of the meet-149-148.
Those
team accomplishments led to individual recognition as senior Elliott Sequin
(Lansing, MI), senior Chrissy Duff (Westwood, MA) and
freshman Christina White (Washington, DC) all picked up Liberty League
“Performer of the Week” awards.
“We
are peeking at just the right time,” said fourth-year head coach Scott
Felix. “We've got two more meets (at Hamilton on January 29 and at Ithaca on February 5) before
heading into the state meet and I'm hoping that the momentum of the last three
weeks will carry us to solid performances at states.”
Heading
into the last event against Middlebury, the Dutchmen found themselves trailing
the Panthers, 142-138. That was before
the 200 free relay team of Sequin, senior Andrew Sparkes
(W. Hartford, CT) junior Matt Acciani (Cherry Hill, NJ) and senior D.J. Hogenkamp (E. Aurora, NY) swam Union to victory.
There
were many other big performers. Seguin won three events, 100 and
200 freestyle and the 50 Fly, sophomore Charles Kinnett
(Chelmsford, MA) won the 1650 and the 500
free, Hogenkamp won the 50 and 100 backstroke
while Sparkes had a big win in the 50 free. Divers, freshman Steve Cohen (Media, PA), freshman Evan Kalman
(Delmar, NY) and freshman Kyle Tilley (Hamilton, MA) (scored 18 points in two
events, which the Dutchmen have not had in a couple of years.
“When a
swim meet comes down to one point it is the difference between getting 4th and
5th, 2nd and 3rd, and 3rd and 4th,” Felix explained. “The
first time that (sophomore) Andrew Lockwood (Amherst, NH) beat anyone was against
Middlebury in the 50 Back. He touched a guy out
for 4th place and we ended up winning by one point. If he doesn't do that
we lose by one.
“I
am excited for our team because there are a lot of things that had to fall into
place for us to beat a team like Middlebury,” continued Felix. “Realistically, Andrew's
4th place in the 50 backstroke was the difference. Swimming and diving is
more a team sport than people think. The
team is was very excited. We were not sure if we had the fire power to
beat Middlebury and when it works out in your favor you just feel
satisfied. It has been at least six years since we beat a NESCAC school
in a dual meet, so I can say that it is very gratifying.”
Elliott
earned his Liberty League “Performer of the Week” award by winning the 200 free, the 100 free and was part of the
winning 400 free relay team in the Dutchmen's 127-117 win over Rensselaer, and
for his performances against Middlebury.
On the women's side, Duff won
three events, the 1000 free, the 500 free and the 200 freestyle races against
RPI. Against Middlebury, Duff 500 free
while finishing second in the 1650 free.
White won the 50 free, the
100 free and the 500 free in the Dutchwomen's 167-79 victory over Rensselaer
and came back against Middlebury to win the 50 free while finishing second in
the 100 free and third in the 200 free.
The women's state
championship meet will be held on February 17 through 19 while the men's state
meet is set for February 24-26. Both
events will be held at Nottingham High School.