As we hit the middle of the season for both men and women’s swim teams, they seem to be treading well, boasting records of 4-1 (men’s team) and 3-2 (women’s Team) and not slowing down at all. Since the week of Oct. 16, they both had three meets against Oklahoma Baptist University, Bloomsburg University, and Lehigh University. Both Golden Rams swim teams have had a great season to start and will continue that momentum for the rest of the season and a hopeful PSAC Championship as well.
Diving right into the men’s season, they currently have a 4-1 record and their only loss was to Oklahoma Baptist University by a score of 56-30. Looking back at it, Victor Polyakov managed to win three events, but it was not enough to stop visiting Oklahoma Baptist to a 56-30 victory over the Golden Rams last Friday evening at Graham Natatorium. Polyakov won the 100-yard freestyle, 200 free and the 500 free to record the only three wins in the meet’s eight events. Polyakov posted a winning time of 4:42:43 in the 500 free while teammate Conor Forlini registered a time of 4:47.76 to come in second.
Treading over to some positive news, the Golden Rams came out strong after their first loss to Oklahoma Baptist University, by sweeping a tri-meet against Bloomsburg University and Lehigh University. The men’s squad managed to pull off wins over Lehigh University and Bloomsburg University in a tri-meet Friday evening inside Graham Natatorium. They topped Division I Lehigh by a score of 154-83, marking the largest margin of victory over the Mountain Hawks since at least 2003, while the hosts also downed PSAC rival Bloomsburg, 156-81. Looking at the key factor, the Golden Rams were led by Polyakov again with a pair of wins and runner-up showing. He won both the 200-yard freestyle (1:42:75) and the 200 individual medley (1:52.07). He placed second in the 100 free with a time of 46.31 seconds. Also, we cannot forget Michael Oliver, as he won the 200 breaststroke in 2:05.53. Some more great stats were that West Chester managed to capture second through fifth place in the 1000 free. It was led by Forlini’s time of 9:53.03. Forlini and Geoff Boodey swam both second and third in the 500 free. Daniil Sokman was runner-up in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:57.81. It was a great meet for the men’s squad, as we shall definitely be looking forward to seeing what they bring for the rest of the season.
Treading right over to our Lady Rams squad, they also currently have a record of 3-2 and their two losses were too Oklahoma Baptist University by a score of 54-32 and against Lehigh University with a score of 141-64. In the Oklahoma Baptist University meet, Tess Hayward won three events, but it was not enough to stop visiting Oklahoma Baptist to a 54-32 victory over WCU the past Friday evening at Graham Natatorium as well. Hayward managed to win the 100-yard freestyle and the 200 free while anchoring the 200 free relay team that also took first place. The Golden Rams won each of the relays in Friday’s non-conference meet. Hayward touched the wall in the 100 free in 53.30 seconds while touching out in the 200 free in 1:55.72 to capture that event.
On another positive note, Sydney Wareham was also a winner for the Golden Rams on Friday, taking first place in the 500 free.
The Lady Rams split a tri-meet with Lehigh University and Bloomsburg University Friday evening inside Graham Natatorium. The Golden Rams avenged a loss to Bloomsburg a year ago in this meet with a 121-84 victory over the Huskies while Division I Lehigh got the better of the Golden Rams by the measure of 141-64. The Golden Rams also went third, fourth and fifth in the 1000 free while Lehigh took both first and second place. Dani Barron was third in 10:46.98 as well.
Both men and women’s swim teams will be heading to Rowan University the first weekend in November for an invitational. We wish them the best of luck as we hope they dive on in for that victory and carry that momentum toward the Pittsburgh invitational right before Thanksgiving break.
Marcelus Council-Jones is a fourth-year student. He can be reached at MC785844@wcupa.edu