There have been many sports dynasties in the last century. The Boston Celtics won eight straight NBA championships in the ’60s. The New York Yankees dominated the latter part of the ’90s. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Terry Bradshaw won four super bowls in six years. Compared to West Chester University’s men’s swimming team though, none of these feats seem big at all. The swimmers brought home their twelfth consecutive PSAC title last weekend, extending one of West Chester’s, and sports, greatest dynasties ever.The championship is the 23rd for West Chester University men’s swimming, placing them in second all time, one behind Clarion University. They tore the other schools to pieces, easily cruising to a win by almost 200 points.
The Golden Rams ended the weekend strong, adding more championships to their resume. The 200-yard butterfly was won by Kenny McCormick, and Peter Madueno added the other Sunday victory for the team with the 200 breaststroke. West Chester amassed five runner up positions as well Sunday, thanks to the efforts of David Smoker, Bud McClernan, Max Bernardes, Brendan Magarity, and Brendan Fanslau.
Kenny McCormick was named as the Swimmer of the Meet, as West Chester swept the honor on both the men’s and women’s side. McCormick won three individual events on the weekend, and was a member of two championship winning relay teams. As a junior, he has a chance to lead the men’s team to lucky number 13 next season, and continue his amazing success in the pool.
West Chester men’s swimming has truly created a dynasty with their name. Twelve straight PSAC crowns is something that has never been done by any other West Chester team, and will likely go down in the record books forever. The university once nationally known for teaching and education is now also known for teaching, education, and swimming.
The men will spend the next two weeks preparing for nationals in March. There, McCormick and the rest of the Golden Ram swimmers will look to continue their successful 2010 season.
Ryan Frisco is a third-year student majoring in Communication studies. He can be reached at RF648257@wcupa.edu.