In an endless pursuit of control of the waters inside Sheer Pool, West Chester University engaged the University of Pennsylvania in swimming and diving this past Friday.
For the men’s team, sophmore star Victor Polyakov was dominant as he won three races. West Chester would win five races on Friday. However, they would eventually fall short as they lost to UPenn 182-113 in the dual meet.
The sophomore, Polyakov, was dominant as he won the 200-yard freestyle, the 100-yard freestyle, and the 200-yard Individual medley. Polyakov is originally from Toganrog, Russia. He specializes in distance races, which he controlled this past week. Polyakov’s times in his events were one minute and 53.81 seconds in the 200-yard medley, 46.02 in the 100 free, and finally a 1:39.5 in the 200 freestyle. Not a bad day to say the least for the young star.
Other swimmers on the men’s team deserve recognition as well. Freshman Mike Oliver and junior Connor Forlini stayed competitive as they trailed Polyakov in the distance races. Senior Ryan Stahley finished fifth in the 100 freestyle with a time of 48.26 seconds.
West Chester was awarded another big point in the 200 freestyle relay. The four swimmers were led by Junior Jared Haley. Haley’s leadership helped him and his teammates to secure some points for West Chester despite the eventual non-league loss. The junior was accompanied by Stahley, junior Alex Corbett, and sophomore Dan Sokman. The quartet’s winning time was 1:27.34. Haley competed in the 500-yard freestyle and the 1000-yard freestyle. He would come in first in the 500 free and in second place in the 1000 free with times of 4:39.91 and 9:39.89.
The man on Haley’s heels in both the 500 and 1000 freestyle was none other than sophomore Bradley Strathmeyer. He finished right behind Haley in both races with times of 4:41.51, in the 500 freestyle and 9:42.19 in the 1000 freestyle. Strathmeyer would also finish in third place in the 200 butterfly. He posted a time of 1:57.85.
One cannot simply forget about the diving portion of these events. Christian Parker was a standout on the boards as he found success when he competed in the three-meter and one meter board competitions. Parker’s score in the three meter event was a 283.80, he finished fifth in the event. He would better himself in the one meter board event as he placed second while posting a 262.27.
West Chester’s performance swimming really is something to watch out for when they compete in the PSAC Championships at the end of the month. Despite the overall loss to UPenn, West Chester’s boys still showed effort and resiliency in their meets.
The women’s team also competed in Philadelphia. This past Friday, like the men’s team, the Lady Rams fell short as they lost to UPenn with a score of 169-120.
Similarly to Polyakov, Kitty Fischer won three events for the women’s team. Fischer is a mid-year transfer and she started her West Chester career off on a good note, winning three events in her first match with this school. Not only was this Fischer’s first meet for WCU, but it was her first United States meet since she came to the school from Germany. The freshman, Fischer, won the 200-yard backstroke, the 100-yard breaststroke, and the 200-yard Individual Medley. For her Individual Medley she registered a time of 2 minutes, 5.95 seconds. In the 200 backstroke, Fischer posted a time of 2:06.46. Finally in the 100 breaststroke she touched at 1:04.06.
Fischer should receive a very good amount of recognition for her efforts on Friday. It is enough pressure to perform as a college athlete. However, add in moving to a new country to the mix, then that is pressure. Adjusting to the culture here in the U.S. and being a student athlete is a lot for one to digest. This young lady should be proud of her accomplishments and will be poised for future success at WCU.
The freshman transfer was not the only story to come out of the pool Friday night. The other West Chester victory that night was junior Kendall Somer. Somer, a rising star for West Chester University, was an individual winner in the 200-yard breaststroke. Somer’s time in this event was registered at 2:24.24. Somer’s veteran leadership helped in the Rams’ relay team, as they too were winners. The event was 200-yard freestyle. Somer was accompanied by seniors Megan Corcoran and Mia Barone, along with sophomore Emily Stang. The quartet’s winning time was 1:41.19.
Senior Michelle Heinemann was a standout in the diving board events. She placed second in the one-meter springboard competition with a score of 224.7. Heinemann later finished third in the three-meter springboard with a score of 232.72.
The women’s story was similar to the men’s in many ways. Both relay teams won and both teams had individuals who won three events, showing much promise for the school and the respective teams. Even though this was a non-league loss, this team really does look like a winner. They will have to be very prepared as the with the PSAC championships looming.
Three weeks from now the West Chester team will compete and if they show the same composure and the never-give-up attitudes, then the future will be a bright one.
Michael Murphy is a first-year student majoring in communication studies. He can be reached at MM802071@wcupa.edu