MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - The Ephs traveled to Connecticut this past weekend to compete in the 3 session Jayden Szkirka Memorial Championship meet. The sessions mocked the events to be contested at the NESCAC Championships aside from 50s of stroke and lists of 11 dives.
The meet was highlighted by 2 pool records by sophomore
Calder Biondi on 1 and 3M. Biondi has been diving extremely well this season and his 6 dive list was enough to set some records today. Looking ahead to NESCACs, Biondi will be in a position to continue to dominate with 5 more dives on each board.
Ashley Loh also had a great meet, earning her second regional cut on 1M.
Another key storyline of this weekend follows senior
Lily Codd. Codd put up three best times at this competition in the 200 IM, 400 IM and 200 fly. She typically swims the longer distance freestyles but showcased her versatility in other strokes this weekend.
Anna Doherty had a strong 500 freestyle putting up a 5:02. On the men's side,
Ryan Nunez and
Aneirin Hanan also had strong performances at 4:35 and 4:38. The men's 200 IM was highlighted by 2 1:53 performances by
Colin Kavanagh and
Alex Gertner.
Maggie Farley dipped under 24 seconds in the 50 freestyle, an exciting performance for certain.
Esme Van Orden decisively dipped under 56 in the 100 butterfly, the only in the field. Nunez dipped under 50 seconds, also very impressive.
Sophie Phelps had an incredible meet as well. She won the 200 IM, 200 fr and 100 fr. In the 200, she went a 1:50, almost a best time for the first year.
Three Eph men went 1:41 in the 200 freestyle, showcasing their depth.
Gabe Lee won, followed by
Theo Randall and
Harrison Williams.
Michael Grover had a great 100 breaststroke, dipping under 56. Randall had a strong 100 freestyle hitting 45 seconds.
Doherty dipped under 2:20 in the 200 breaststroke, a big accomplishment. Nunez and Gertner highlighted the men's 200 butterfly. Nunez took the win in a 1:49.
Head Coach
Steve Kuster had a few remarks on the weekend, "I was happy with most of what I saw this weekend. By and large I think we got out of it what we were hoping to and I think competing in a 3 session meet will serve us well down the road."
The Ephs now head to Florida for their training trip before resuming competition in January.
