The Binghamton University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams made their way to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Nov. 19, where the squads took on Marist College at McCann Natatorium. Marist edged out BU 152-148 on the men’s side, while the Red Foxes women’s team knocked off Binghamton 172-110.
“We knew Marist would be ready to go against us, and they sure were,” Binghamton head coach Sean Clark said.
On the men’s side, Marist and Binghamton each captured seven of the event’s first 14 events. In the match-deciding final race, the 400 free relay, Binghamton needed a first and third-place finish to win the meet, but ultimately came up short as Marist took the victory.
BU opened the meet with a win in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:39.39. Binghamton senior Nolan Slesnick highlighted the team’s individual performance and took first in the 500 free (4:47.57) and 1,000 free (9:57.10).
Freshman Devin Zdanowski’s score of 298.95 in the meter dive was good for first place in the event. He later finished second on the three-meter board.
BU freshman Caitlin Kelly highlighted the outing for the women, winning the 50 free with a time of 24.67 and the 100 free with a time of 53.75. The feat marked the second consecutive week in which Kelly notched dual victories.
Freshman Shannon Lampe won the 100 back (1:00.13) and combined with Kelly and juniors Olivia Baczek and Caitlin Nelson to take gold in the 400 free relay (3:38.79).
The performance of Binghamton freshman Imani Williams was also a weekend highlight, as the rookie climbed into seventh place on Binghamton’s all-time list in the meter and three-meter dive. She scored a 231.52 in the meter dive and 233.92 in the three-meter dive, good for second and third place, respectively.
“It was by far a faster meet than last year,” Clark said. “Our women gave [it] their all, but our depth just wasn’t able to overcome their front line.”
In 2010, the Binghamton women’s team took down Marist, 167-133.
Prior to this year’s loss at Marist, the women took down Drexel University 197-194 on Nov. 12 for their first win of the season. Kelly, freshman Corinne Zotter and junior Tiffany Siu led the Bearcats with two first-place finishes apiece.
Both squads are next set to see action on Jan. 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. at the Bob Mowerson Invitational.