The UR men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams, in their third meet of the year, hosted the Union College Dutchmen this past Saturday. Each team had strong showings by both newcomers and returners, but the teams as a whole were not able to bring it all together to take home the win. Both meets were very close the women lost by only 20 points, 140-160, and the men lost by 31 points, 134.5-165.5.
The women had a strong showing from freshman newcomer Emily Scott, who won two individual events for the ‘Jackets the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle. Scott has swum exceptionally well lately and has had a positive impact in all of UR’s past meets, having won the 50 and 100 freestyle in every competition so far this season.
Scott also participated on the winning 200 medley relay team with sophomore Val Atwood and freshmen Jennifer Chung and Olivia Ehmann. Ehmann finished right behind Scott in the 50 freestyle. Atwood placed second in the 100 backstroke to help out the ‘Jackets.
Chung also gained points for UR with first-place wins in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke, and junior Jamie Sorenson also dominated on the boards, taking first place in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. Senior Cheryl Blechman took second place in the 1-meter board and third in the 3-meter. Freshman Rachel Delahunta placed second in the 3-meter board to complete the ‘Jackets’ sweep of the event.
Like the women’s team, the men’s team also had contributions from newcomers and returners alike. Freshman Vince Ness dominated in the pool, finishing first in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle competitions. Sophomore Bobby McCue finished behind Ness in the 200 freestyle, taking third place.
Junior Chris Jensen also added to UR’s score with a win in the 100 breaststroke. Senior David Mitsche took first place in the 3-meter board and second in the 1-meter board. Sophomore Kevin Howard also did well, placing second in the 200 individual medley and the 100 and 200 backstroke. The 200 medley relay team consisting of Howard, Jensen and freshmen Colin Funai and Wesley Hood ended up in second place. Hood also placed second in the 50 freestyle, coming in less than six-tenths of a second behind the winner.
Both the men and the women will be looking to improve their records when they head down to Lancaster, Penn. this weekend to compete in a multi-team meet against Franklin and Marshall College, Washington and Lee University and Carnegie Melon University.
The meet is hosted by Franklin and Marshall College and will go all day Saturday.
Belonga is a member of the class of 2010.
