AMHERST, MA -- The Ephs met rival Amherst at their home pool today but fell short of victory 124-113. Williams has been unable to win at Pratt Pool in their last three tries, but do lead the all-time series 69-35-2. Amherst rallied behind some big swims to continue the successful defense of their pool.
Williams came out swinging, though. In the 400 Medley Relay the team from Williams hit the wall over two seconds before the second place Amherst relay. That team of Ben Lin, Jake Tamposi, Tim Kostolansky and Nels Snyder clocked a 3:25.15 and were swimming in open water after Lin led off with a 49.21 Backstroke leg.
Amherst's Connor Haley struck back in the 1000 Freestyle, grabbing first place and handing the Ephs their first loss this season in that event. Kenny Liu was the first Williams man to the wall in 9:56.19, and Bobby Rowledge and Dan Needham were right behind giving Williams second through fourth places in the event.
Then junior Grant Johnson and freshman Curtis Maher finished first and second for Williams in the 200 Freestyle, making it clear that this meet would be back-and-forth in the scoring right from the beginning.
And as soon as it came, the momentum would swing back to favor Amherst again. The next four events were won by an Amherst competitor. First the freshmen sprinter for Amherst Kaison Ifill would lead a 1,2 sweep of the 50 Freestyle. Then Amherst veterans Greg Han and Jeff Anderson beat out Williams IMers Knox Young and Tim Kostolansky. On the boards for the 1 meter competition Andrew Lyness dove well, but Amherst's Asher Lichtig took victory. And finally a trio of Amherst swimmers hit the wall in order before any Williams swimmer could touch in the 200 Butterfly.
Eph head coach Steve Kuster attempted to win the momentum back by putting Ben Lin in the 100 Freestyle and 200 Backstroke for back-to-back swims. Lin led the way in the 100 Free for Williams, touching in 46.24, and was followed by Jamie Finnegan and John Hammond in second and fourth places, respectively.
But Amherst's Matt Heise disrupted any plans in 200 Backstroke by winnning the event ahead of the Ephs' Colin Hogan, Ben Lin and Curtis Maher.
Williams wasn't done yet. They pushed back in the 500 Freestyle, taking first and second places after strong second halves from both Grant Johnson and Kenny Liu.
In the 3-meter diving Andrew Lyness took second place. Then senior captain Jake Tamposi battled hard for second place in the 200 Breaststroke, which was the last individual event of the evening.
In the 400 Freestyle Relay Williams took first and third. On both the A and B relays strong performances were turned in all around. But this final push was not enough to overcome the total that Amherst had amassed.
After the meet, coach Kuster said "Ihis loss needs to make us better as a team." And the Ephs have plenty of opportunities to bounce back. Next weekend they face Wesleyan and Connecticut College, who are strong conference competition.
And the close meet at Amherst is just a prelude to the exciting 2016 NESCAC Championships in which Williams will have a turn to defend their own pool.
