The VMI women’s swimming and diving team broke two school records en route to splitting a tri-meet Saturday, as the Keydets faced off with Loyola (Md.) and Howard in Baltimore, Md. VMI (1-4) defeated Howard 135-71 and dropped a 150-78 decision to host Loyola.
As was the case in each of the Keydets’ first two meets, freshmen played a key role in the end result of the competition. McKenzie Raber set her third school record with an 18:52.67 time in the 1650 free, good enough to notch third place and easily the best time in program history. Raber was over a minute under the previous varsity record in the event, which had stood since 2005.
The Keydets also posted a new VMI best during a runner-up finish in the 200 free relay. Sophia DelBondio, Natalie Rivas, Haley Scott and Gabbie Galvez combined for a 1:43.01 time, over half a second faster than the previous school record.
Both DelBondio and Rivas were on the podium in other events Saturday, with Rivas finishing second in the 100 free (56.04) and third in the 50 free (25.51), while DelBondio was the runner-up at the shorter distance with a time of 25.48.
Diver Heather Magill was also in action Saturday, winning the 1-meter with 226.50 points and finishing second in the 3-meter discipline (199.35).
The Keydets also finished second in the 200 medley relay, with Catie Berry, Elise Reed, Sierra Payne and Elizabeth Johnston notching a time of 1:58.99. In addition, Mckenzie Perkins was third in the 100 back, as she touched the wall in 1:04.13.
VMI women’s swimming and diving will return to action in 2015, as the Keydets take on North Carolina A&T on January 23 at Clark King Pool. Action is slated to get underway at 4 p.m.
The VMI men’s swimming and diving team split a tri-meet Saturday in Baltimore, Md., dropping a decision to host Loyola (Md.) but knocking off Howard for the Keydets’ first win of the year. Loyola prevailed 156-76, but the Keydets (1-5) downed Howard 132-72.
The Keydets posted four second-place finishes on the day, including a dramatic runner-up spot in the 200 free relay. The squad of Connor McMahon, Christian Rowcliffe, Christian Purdy and John Kelly were edged at the line after touching the wall in 1:28.60. Purdy grabbed another second place finish, this one an individual accomplishment, in the 50 free. He timed in at 23.03 to record that result.
VMI’s other runners-up were Matt Johnson, who was second in the 500 free (5:06.45) and Christian Shaner, who finished second in the 100 fly (54.56). Kelly also logged a pair of individual podium finishes, placing third in both the 100 (49.11) and 200 (1:48.51) freestyle events.
In addition, Manny Bloch was third in the 100 back (1:01.99) and John Armellino was third in the 1650 free (18:52.38).
VMI men’s swimming and diving will return to action in 2015, as the Keydets take on Washington & Lee and Ferrum in a tri-meet on January 24 at Clark King Pool. Action is slated to get underway at 1 p.m.
