After coming off a great week where both men’s and women’s swimming pulled off victories over Southern Connecticut St., both teams fell Friday to Division I Penn.It was the men’s fourth loss of the season, their third in their last four. The final score was a disappointing 180-117.
The team won a total of only three events on the day. A bright spot in their meet was during the 500 free race, where the Golden Rams swept the top three spots.
Tommy Rhoads, last weeks PSAC male swimmer of the week, led the way as he captured first in the event. Max Bernardes and Matt Flanders were close behind, as they rounded out the top three.
Kenny McCormack was West Chester’s other individual winner in the meet, as he took first in the 400 individual medley. Brendan Magarity took second in that race, as West Chester swept the top two spots for the second time on the day.
The men’s only other victory came in the 200 medley relay race. That team was made up of Rhoads, Brendan Fanslau, Josh Pauley and Michael Westley.
For the women’s team, it was their first loss on the season. They had been 6-0 on the season before their 182-115 loss Friday night.
The Lady Ram swimmers had two individual standouts on the team. Both Erin Fischer and Jackie Borkowski were double winners for the squad. Fischer took first place in the 100 fly and the 400 individual medley. Borkowski was second in the 100 fly, and Jillian Murphy was runner-up in the 400 individual medley.
Borkowski’s two events were the 50 freestyle and the 100 free.
The women’s only other victor on the night was the 200 medley relay team, made up of Megan Bauer, Kristen Montello, Leah Vavaro, and Christie Stern.
This week, both the men’s and women’s swimming teams have off. This week will serve as a break for the teams, who have had a busy schedule since returning from break.
On Feb. 18, the teams will travel to Chambersburg, where they will compete in the PSAC championships.
This will be the most important event of the year for both teams, as they are both defending a string of PSAC crowns.
Ryan Frisco is a third-year student majoring in Communication studies. He can be reached at RF648257@wcupa.edu.