By Maegan White
Elm Staff Writer
On Saturday, Jan. 28, the Shoremen swim team traveled to Lancaster, Pa. to compete in their last regular season meet. The Shoremen lost 169-90 against the top ranked Franklin and Marshall Diplomats.
Senior Gage Mandrell once again led the Shoremen in points. He took first in the 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard backstroke, and 200-yard individual medley, all three of his individual events. He earned 27 individual points.
Sophomore Zach Affeldt and CJ Dunker earned the second most for the team with 7 points each. Affeldt took second in the 100-yard backstroke and third in the 100-yard butterfly. Dunker took second in the 1,000 and third in the 500-yard freestyle.
Sophomore Chase Hensen took second in the 200 breaststroke only 0.18 of a second behind the Diplomats top finisher.
Sophomore Jack Poleto and junior Bianti Danaj also finished in the top three for their events earning points for the Shoremen. Poleto had two third place finishes in 200-yard butterfly and backstroke. Danaj secured a second-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle.
Both Shoremen relays took second behind the Diplomats. The 200-medley relay was composed of sophomore Will Sckmidt and Hensen and juniors Justin Fitzpatrick and Danaj. Danaj, Hensen, Schmidt, and Mandrell.
The top five swimmers in each event score points for their team. Franklin and Marshall not only won 11 out of the 14 events, they also had at least three swimmers finish in the top five in each individual event – except for the the 1,000-yard freestyle, the 100- and 200-yard backstroke in which Franklin and Marshall only entered two swimmers. Franklin and Marshall’s roster depth secured their nearly 80-point victory over the Shoremen.
The Shoremen end their regular season 2-4 in the conference and 3-5 in the regular season. They are ranked fifth of seven teams in the Conference going into the championships. Their competitors Franklin and Marshall end their season second in the conference with a 5-1 record.
According to Mandrell, the team will continue training for the next few weeks to prepare for the conference. The team is going into the conference strong and confident.
“I’m feeling pretty confident going into the last few weeks of the season. Our team has been working hard and we have all the tools we need to succeed, we just need to utilize them,” Mandrell said. “The last few weeks of the season we’re gonna work on fine tuning errors in races. Along with mental and physical preparation in the pool, we need to take care of ourselves outside of it too.”
On Feb. 16, the Shoremen will be traveling to Gettysburg College for the Centennial Conference Championships. Swarthmore College goes into the championship undefeated and ranked first, followed by Franklin and Marshall, Ursinus, Gettysburg, then WC. Dickinson and McDaniel, both of whom WC beat, are ranked sixth and seventh respectively.
Photo by Grace Hazlehurst
Photo Caption: Freshman Shane Brace racing the 200 yard butterfly at home against the Ursinus Bears.