The men’s and women’s swim teams eased by Bloomsburg last weekend, leaving them unbeaten in PSAC competition and carrying a head of steam into the championships next week.Both teams’ outcomes mirrored the other, as the men won their meet 143-114, and the women won theirs by the sore of 143-113. It was a great way to end the season and get ready to defend their PSAC Title.
The men displayed pure authority in the pool, winning over half of the fifteen events, and taking all three top spots twice. In the 50 free, the place winners were Dan Casey, Eric Kunzman, and Max Bernardes. In the 100 free, West Chester did it again, with Brendan Fanslau, Matt Golebiewski, and Joe Watts sweeping the field.
Bernardes was the Golden Ram standout against the Huskies, winning both the 200 freestyle and 200 breaststroke. Also contributing to the WCU effort were Matt Flanders and Rod King, sweeping the 200 backstroke, Peter Madueno and Fanslau, taking the top two in the 100 breaststroke, and Kenny McCormick and David Smoker, each winning their events. The team also won the 200 medley relay race.
The women’s performance was near the same as the men’s, taking the same number of events, nine, and taking the top two spots six times.
Junior Jackie Borkowski continued her excellent season, winning three events on the day individually, in addition to a part in the 400 free relay. She also claimed victory in the 1000 free, 200 butterfly, and 500 free.
Megan Bauer also contributed heavily to the Lady Rams scoring, winning the 100 butterfly and the 100 free, with Kristen Montella and Christie Stern in tow. Also part of the winnings were Danielle Ierley in the 200 free, Montella in the 50 free, Rachel Gale in the 200 breaststroke, and the 200 medley relay team.
This match-up was just what the Golden Ram squad needed after suffering their first loss of the season the day before to Penn in the seniors last home meet at West Chester.
The men’s team lost 12 of the 16 events and the women lost nine en route to their first and only regular season defeats.
Matt Golebiewski won both the 200 freestyle and 100 free, continuing his superb senior campaign, but Penn’s team proved too strong as the Rams fell in the end 186-112.
While the women did far better than the men by winning seven events compared to four, they too were unable to overcome the Penn Quakers, falling 180-120.
Danielle Ierley and Heather Varas each won two events for the Lady Rams, while Jackie Borkowski, Erin Fischer, and Jillian Murphy each added one of their own.
The West Chester Golden Rams men’s swimming and diving team end the regular season with a most impressive 7-1 record, 3-0 in the PSAC. The women’s team ended equally respectable, 6-1 overall and 3-0 PSAC. Both teams captured last year’s PSAC crown, and both are determined to defend that title this year.
The PSAC championships will begin February 19 at Mechanicburg, PA, and will run until the 21st.
Ryan Frisco is a second-year student majoring in Communication studies with a minor in Journalism. He can be reached at RF648257@wcupa.edu.