The Binghamton swimming and diving team got a bittersweet taste of America East play Saturday as the women’s team defeated Vermont, 124-118, but lost to Boston University, 138-99. Meanwhile the men’s squad also lost to the Terriers, 135-106.
“It was a nice surprise for the women,” said head coach Sean Clark. “I think it was a real confidence-booster and nice reward for all the work they have put in.”
The Bearcats took an early lead as junior Amanda Ciccone placed first place in the 100-meter freestyle (52.92 seconds) and second place in the 50 free, but it was not just the upperclassman that pulled the team through. Tin Wai Siu made her debut at the Patricia A. Saunders ‘65 Aquatics Center with a first-place finish in the 200 butterfly (2:05.96) and second in the 200 free. Fellow freshman Melissa Lindahl also made a big impression at the meet, coming in at second in the 200 backstroke while freshmen Caitlin Nelson and Olivia Baczek both came in fourth place in the 50 free and 200 backstroke respectively.
“I knew we could be competitive with Vermont,” Clark said. “They are an established team and they were third in the conference. For us to look up at them in the eye, that was important for squad.”
On the men’s team, junior Jason Chen took the 200 individual medley (1:56.96) and also placed second in the 200 back. Meanwhile sophomore Nolan Slesnick came in third place in the 200 breast and senior Ziyad Rouhana placed second in the 200 fly.
The freshmen also impressed on the men’s side as freshman Josh Saccurato rolled in at first in the 200 fly (1:59.73) and also took a fourth place finish in the 200 IM. Fellow first-year David Gleason touched second in the 200 free and third in the 100 free while sophomore Joe Perez-Rogers came in second in both the 50 free and the 100 free.
“The freshman will forever change this team,” Clark said. “This year we have the youth and the enthusiasm to come through for us. We lost so much from our senior last year and I sat the freshmen down and told them they had to do it this year.”
In diving, sophomore Nick Turner dominated the competition, winning the 1-meter with 273.85 points and the 3-meter with a score of 308.60 points.
Senior Bob Nolte also put Binghamton on the map with a third-place finish.
Overall, Clark felt that his squad exceeded expectations in playing the conference for the first time this season.
“We definitely have a lot of work to do to be competitive on a regular basis,” he said. “We are excited about each step forward that we take. Our vision extends beyond the conference. A positive event like this really makes them understand why coaches say what coaches say. The [team] understands the hard work, time and focus required to make them better.”
Binghamton aquatics is scheduled to face University of Massachusetts Amherst on Saturday at 1 p.m.