New leaders emerge after day three of the 2017 Atlantic 10 Swimming and Diving Competition, with George Washington leading the men’s field with 378 points and the Richmond women holding first with 413 points. The two championships conclude Saturday at the SPIRE Institute.
The Colonials came off the block strong as they took home five golds, one bronze, and broke three records. Led by senior Andrea Bolognesi for his performance in the 100-yard butterfly in which he took home gold as well as gaining back his conference and championship record that was broken in prelims by Saint Louis’ Ryan McCoy. He finished with a NCAA B time of 46.91. Bolognesi also broke his previous record sent in prelims earlier in the day in the 100-yard breaststroke in a NCAA B time finish in 52.24. Also helping GW gain control of the leaderboard was freshman Moritz Fath who won the 200-yard freestyle with a NCAA B time of 1:37.35. Junior Gustav Hokfelt also took home gold for his championship and conference record-breaking performance in the 100-yard backstroke, touching the wall in 46.94 seconds which is also a NCAA B time. The Colonials topped the night off with a first-place finish in the 400-yard medley relay, sealing their lead.
La Salle is currently in second place on the men’s side with 346 points. Led by senior Cameron Fadley who took home a bronze in the 100-yard butterfly, and junior Fabian Bergman, who took home silver in the 100-yard backstroke. The Explorers also finished second in the 400-yard medley relay, just a second behind GW.
Following George Washington and La Salle in the men’s standing after day three of competition are Massachusetts (300), Saint Louis (279), Fordham (276.5), St. Bonaventure (256), George Mason (247.5) and Davidson (166).
The Spiders gained control in the women’s standings, as they took home one gold, four silvers and two bronzes. Seniors Hannah Matheson, who placed third in the 100-yard butterfly, and senior Maggie Pope who placed second in the 100-yard backstroke led the way for Richmond as they look to defend their A-10 crown. Senior Irina Chiulli took silver in the 3-meter diving competition, contributing 17 points to the Spiders total of 413. Freshman Virginia Marsh and junior Annie Lane both medaled in the 200-yard freestyle taking siver and bronze, respectively. The Spiders lone gold of the night came from freshman Hannah Gouger who finished with a NCAA B time of 53.69. Richmond also placed second in the 400-yard medley relay led Gouger, Matheson, Lane and sophomore Morgan Soulia.
Following Richmond in the women’s standings are Massachusetts (381), Duquesne (342.5), Fordham (296.5), Davidson (273), George Washington (214), George Mason (185.5), Rhode Island (151.5), St. Bonaventure (137.5), Saint Louis (136) and La Salle (115.5).
Davidson’s Elise Lankiewicz broke her own championship and conference record set at last year’s championship in the 200-yard freestyle, finishing with a NCAA B tie of 1:45.14. Massachusetts senior Meriza Werenski took home gold in the 400-yard IM finishing in 4:17.46, a NCAA B time. Junior Emma Rouch took gold in the 3-meter diving competition and sophomore Katie Polk took third.
Action resumes Saturday morning with the preliminary events beginning at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm diving prelims, timed finals of the 1650 at 3:15 pm and evening finals at 6:30 pm.
