The Binghamton University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams closed out the regular season on a strong note Saturday afternoon, sweeping the visiting Stony Brook University Seawolves. Both teams collected convincing wins, with the men taking a 162-113 decision and the women winning 199-101. The wins put both Bearcat teams in good position heading into the conference championships.
The men started off by taking the 200-yard medley relay in a time of 1:36:12 and never looked back. Sophomore Joe Perez-Rogers touched first in the 100-yard back (51.33) and the 100 fly (51.98), while freshman David Gleason placed first in the 200 free (1:42:00). Fellow freshman Andrew Ellman picked up two individual victories of his own in the 100 breast (1:08:82) and the 200 breast (2:12:21).
Sophomore Nolan Slesnick dominated in the meet, picking up three wins in the 1,000 free (9:45:94), the 500 free (4:43:21) and the 400 individual medley (4:12:08).
On the boards, BU continued its winning ways when Anthony Foiles placed first on the 1-meter with a score of 235.80, while Bob Nolte placed first on the 3-meter (275.10).
The men end the regular season with a 5-5 record. Head coach Sean Clark and his team are optimistic about the upcoming championships. Clark hopes the men push for the top two spots in the conference.
“I think our team is going to exceed all expectations,” said sophomore Joe Perez-Rogers. “Our coach is tapering us really well and I think we are going to see a lot of personal best times. “
On the women’s side, BU foursome Brittany Detlef, Allyce Brand, Tin Wai Siu and Taryn Ferrara placed first in the 200 medley relay. In addition to the 200 medley, freshman Siu took first in the 1,000 free (10:44:98), 200 fly (2:08.92) and 400 IM (4:33:30).
Junior Amanda Ciccone turned in an impressive performance, winning all events she participated in. Ciccone swam the 200 free (54.00), 100 fly (1:53:63), 50 free (24.38), 100 free (53.06) and the 400-yard relay, which she won alongside teammates Brand, Ferrara and Caitlin Nelson.
Freshman Melissa Lindahl won the 100 back in 1:01:37 and the 200 back in 2:11:29, while junior Danielle Gallo picked up a victory in the 100 breast (1:08:82).
Jenna Easton placed first on the 1-meter (220.08) and the 3-meter (216.08) to lead BU diving.
Coming off a regular season that saw many surprises, records and wins, Clark expects a lot from the women and is excited with what they offer as a team.
“For the women, we certainly are hoping to move up a spot in the conference standings,” said Clark. “We’ve been sixth the last couple of years and the team has just done so much this year that they really deserve to move a notch up. We have got a lot of strength at the top and our depth is coming around.”
The Bearcats dive into a short break in preparation for the upcoming America East championships. The championships take place at Boston University from Feb. 25 to 28.