By Timothy McDonnell
Towson University made great strides on Day 2 of the 2013 CAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship thanks to a clean sweep in the 500-yard freestyle. On the men's side, 12-time defending champion UNCW moved ahead of the Day 1 leader, William & Mary, by 35 points following a strong overall display.
The Tigers opened Day 2 of the championships at the University of Maryland’s Eppley Recreation Center by grabbing the top five spots – all in order – in the 500 free. Seniors Kaitlin Burke, Cassie Sorna and Kendall Towe led the way, while Liz Saint and Shelby Witham rounded out the final two spots.
In men’s 500 freestyle action, Towson controlled many of the top spots again, as Jon Burr, Matt McKenney and Dominic Breschi placed in first, second and third, respectively, while fellow Tiger Matt Lowe placed fifth in between Cory Camp’s (Delaware) fourth-place finish.
UNCW capped its impressive day in the 200-yard freestyle relay, as stud junior Valtteri Halonen paced the Seahawks’ winning, 1:19.93 effort, as did savvy veterans Ned Tyler, Gabe Thran and Joe Gallene.
William & Mary junior women’s swimmer Megan Howard, who entered the championships as one of the league’s top competitors, won the 50-yard free in 22.56. UNCW’s Rachel Sears and Susanne Gingher finished second and third respectively.
In the men's 200 IM, the Tribe's Andrew Strait repeated as CAA Champion. The senior set a new championships and top performance record in prelims earlier on Thursday (1:46.80), but followed in the finals by upping both marks for another new record of 1:46.59. UNCW’s Michael Baric and fellow Tribe teammate Will Manion finished second and third.
On the diving boards, Towson senior Alex Cohen took home top honors on the one-meter with a score of 325.70. Even more impressive, however, was that Cohen won the event on his last dive, edging out last year’s Diver of the Meet, David Sanchez of Drexel and UNCW standout freshman Allen Crosby.
The women of James Madison quietly impressed Thursday evening and now sit behind the Tigers in second place with 257 points. Senior Kelsey Holmgaard won the 200 IM in 2:00.23 – earning her second consecutive championship victory in the event -- while teammate Shannon Dubay closely followed in second with a time of 2:00.32.
In the only women's relay action of the day, the Dukes came up big again with the team of Gingher, Camilla Czulada, Carli Molano and Dunay won the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:30.99. William & Mary’s Howard, Jaime Miller, Sara Schad and Georgie Crompton took home second place honors.
On Friday, all teams return to the water for Day 3 of the championships. Scheduled events in the pool include the men's and women's 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard freestyle. Also taking place will be the men’s and women’s 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard back, and finally, the 400-yard medley relays. On the boards will be the women's one-meter diving.
Day 2 Women's CAA Championship Standings
1. Towson (303)
2. James Madison (257)
3. William & Mary (153)
4. Delaware (148)
5. Northeastern (125)
6. UNCW (123)
7. College of Charleston (115)
8. Drexel (93)
Day 2 Men's CAA Championship Standings
1. UNCW (266)
2. William & Mary (231)
3. Towson (218)
4. Delaware (158)
5. Drexel (150)
6. College of Charleston (146)
