Presidents Earn Sweep In Erie

Washington & Jefferson College freshmen Michael Boutwell (Winchester, Va./John Handley) and Brittany Vogel (Butler, Pa./Butler) both set pool records and helped the Presidents sweep a swimming and diving dual meet from Penn State-Behrend on Saturday afternoon at the Junker Center.

The Presidents’ men (6-3) recorded a 134-93 triumph, while the women’s squad (11-1) was victorious by a 117-73 margin. The W&J women have now won 11 or more dual meets during five consecutive seasons.

Boutwell earned his pool-record breaking time during his first place finish in the 1650 freestyle (17:11.07). He also earned first place in the 200 butterfly (2:04.66) and swam the final leg on the first-place 200 freestyle relay (1:33.42).

Vogel continued her record-breaking first season with the Presidents after being a part of three wins. She set the pool record in the 200 backstroke (2:15.78), while also touching first in the 400 IM (4:53.86). She opened the meet by helping the 200 medley relay to a win in 1:57.68.

Sophomore Brandon Smith (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) racked up three wins for the W&J men. He swam the opening leg on the 200 medley relay win (1:41.70) and then won the 200 IM (2:03.56) and 500 freestyle (5:02.03).

Junior Mark Sirkoch (New Kensington, Pa./Plum) and freshman Andy Rish (North East, Pa./Cathedral Prep) joined Smith on the 200 medley relay victory and then both grabbed individual triumphs. Sirkoch won the 200 breaststroke (2:24.20), while Rish was the winner in the 200 backstroke (2:02.16).

Freshman Sarah Cull (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) garnered wins in both long distance freestyle events, posting times of 5:39.72 in the 500 event and 19:24.04 in the 1650.

Senior Brittany Bertoli (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) collected a pair of individual wins, claiming the 200 butterfly (2:18.93) and 200 freestyle (2:04.39). Freshman Katie Steider (Cochranton, Pa./Meadville) was another double winner after picking up the 50 (26.05) and 100 (56.61) freestyles.

Both Washington & Jefferson squads return to the pool on Wednesday in Latrobe for a PAC dual meet with Saint Vincent (6:00 pm).