Clarkson Men, Oneonta State Women Win North Country Invitational

After an impressive first day at the North Country Invitational, the Clarkson University Swim team finished off what it started as the men's team won the event and the women claimed second Saturday afternoon.

The Golden Knights' men's team won the six-team invitational with 531 points. Buffalo State came in second with 449 points, followed by Potsdam State (431), Oneonta State (400), Herkimer County CC (28) and Cazenovia (15). The women ended up in second place with 433 points, trailing only Oneonta State (639). Potsdam State (415), Buffalo State (266), Cazenovia (135), and Herkimer County CC (63) rounded out the teams.

Senior Katherine Gawrys (Ballston Spa, NY) was the big winner for the Knights, claiming two individual events. She won the 200 butterfly (2:21.10) and the 200 freestyle (2:04.41). Senior Kristen Larsen (Fort Edward, NY) won just one event on the day, but she dominated the field with a time of 2:35.98, besting the field by nearly 10 seconds and setting new Clarkson record (breaking her own former mark by more than a second and a half). Freshman Emma Bonan (Queensbury, NY) also won the 100 freestyle with a time of 57.41. The Clarkson women also won a pair of relays, placing first in the 200 medley (1:58.32) and the 400 freestyle (3:53.00).

On the men's side, three swimmers touched the end pad first for the Knights. Freshman Tim Walrath (Fulton, NY) started of the individual events on the right foot for the Knghts, winning the 1650 freestyle in 18:34.55. Sophomore Brendan Hofler (Glen Gardner, NJ) came in first in the 400 individual medley (4:38.10) for Clarkson, and senior Matt Ulsh (Rochester, MN) won the 200 butterfly (2:07.05).