The Binghamton University men’s swimming and diving team pulled out a victory right before the Thanksgiving break, beating the Marist Red Foxes by a score of 161-139. The women’s team came away with a win as well, defeating Siena 174-125, but also fell to Marist 125-173.
BU head coach Sean Clark felt that the meet was a pressure situation for the boys and he was pleased with the way the team responded. Familiar names continued to swim well for the Bearcats as junior Jason Chen claimed three victories. Chen won the 100-yard breast (1:01.99), the 100 free (48.08) and the 200-yard IM (2:00.21).
“Jason has been a spectacular performer for us this year,” said Clark. “He’s grown into a real leader who is willing to accept big challenges. I like watching him race.”
Sophomore Joe Perez-Rogers touched first in the 100 back (52.24) and the 100 fly (52.18). Freshman David Gleason picked up a victory in the 200 back with a time of 1:55.34. Chen, Perez-Rogers, Gleason and freshman Tim Cabasino teamed up to take the 200 medley relay, clocking a time of 1:37.92. Sophomore diver Nick Turner placed second on the 1-meter (247.45) and the 3-meter (262.40). Freshman Andrew Ellman won the 200 breast (2:17.67) to pick up his first collegiate win while fellow freshman Josh Saccurato won the 200 fly in 1:59.12.
“We continue to expect a lot from our freshman class,” Clark said. “To be competitive for the rest of the season, we’re going to need even more effort from the entire team.”
The women’s team performed admirably as well, taking a win and a loss in the meet. Clark was pleased to have beaten a tough Siena squad, but was disappointed about the loss to Marist.
Junior Amanda Ciccone led the way for the Bearcats picking up three victories in the 50-yard free (24.46), 100 free (53.45) and the 200 IM (2:09.25).
Freshman Tin Wai Siu placed first in two events as well, touching first in the 200 fly (2:08.99) and the 100 fly with a time of 58.37. Siu also took fourth in the 200 freestyle (1:57.39).
Senior Allyce Brand, freshmen Caitlin Nelson and Olivia Baczek, and senior Taryn Ferrara, polished the meet off with a victory in the 400-yard free relay (3:40.57).
On the boards, junior Liz Esposito placed fourth on the 3-meter and the 1-meter to add to the Bearcats’ performance.
“We’re incredibly proud of how far along we’ve brought the women’s program recently,” said Clark. “We already have more wins this year than in the previous two years combined. But that leads to higher expectations.”
Binghamton is back in action for the last time this semester at Cornell, Saturday Dec. 5. The Bearcats are set to face the Big Red at 11 a.m. for diving events and 2 p.m. for the swimming events.