The freedom and relaxation of winter break was cut short for Binghamton University swimming and diving as it took to the waters against St. Bonaventure University and the University at Buffalo this vacation. The teams traveled to Olean, NY where they split with the Bonnies. With the women taking a 135-107 decision in favor of BU, the men were a little less fortunate, losing 132-109.

The women started off the meet on the right foot when Tin Wai Siu broke a BU freshman record in the 1000 free with a time of 10:36.19. Siu also touched first in the 200 fly (2:07.75) and the 500 free (5:11.99).

Amanda Ciccone continued her winning efforts, taking both the 200 free (1:54.65) and the 100 free (53.01).

Three Bearcats finished at the top of the charts in the 50 free with freshman Caitlin Nelson finishing in a time of 25.80 and senior Allyce Brand and freshman Olivia Baczek tying for second when both touched the wall in 25.87 seconds.

Sophomore diver Morgan Neal picked up a win on the three-meter (184.88) and placed second on the one-meter (188.03).

“We were really looking forward to that meet,” said BU head coach Sean Clark. “We’d been swimming so well first semester that I thought we had a really good chance to beat St. Bonaventure for the first time ever, so it was very rewarding to perform at the right time.”

Against Buffalo, the women fell to the Bulls 134-105. Siu and Ciccone picked up valuable wins for the Bearcats. Ciccone broke her own school record to win the 200 IM in 2:08.31, while Siu won the 100 free (53.58). Freshman Melissa Lindahl won the 200 back in 2:10.52.

Despite the loss the Bearcats took against UB, Clark is impressed with the strides the team has been making throughout the past couple of years. “We have as many wins as we’ve had in the past three years combined. There’s seniors who continue to improve and we keep adding some new swimmers that are making a good impact and keep pushing us forward.”

The men’s swimming and diving teams took two disappointing losses to the Bonnies and the Bulls this break.

Against St. Bonaventure, freshman David Gleason took the 200 free (1:42.38) and the 200 back (1:54.79). Sophomore Nolan Slesnick touched first twice, winning the 1000 free (9:52.86) and the 500 free (4:50.88). Junior Jason Chen won the 100 free with a time of 47.80.

“Its never fun to lose,” said Clark, “But the guys have been scratching and clawing for every place. We’ve held our heads up high and I can’t be disappointed in how we’ve approached every race as a team.”

In the Buffalo meet, Gleason won the 200 free in 1:43.19 and sophomore Joe Perez-Rogers won the 50 free in 21.98.

On the boards, freshman Justin Mattison placed third on the one-meter (205.72) and senior Bob Nolte took third on the three-meter (223.27).

With the America East Championships right around the corner, at the end of February, the men are looking for a quick turnaround in their last three meets.

“We’re 2-5 right now with three meets to go,” said Clark, “And we’d really like to even things out and send off to champs on a high note.”

The Bearcats will square off once more before the spring semester, hosting Colgate on Saturday at 1 p.m.