ALTOONA, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson men's and women's swimming teams opened their 2021-22 season Saturday afternoon at Penn State Altoona. The women had a tough battle, falling just two points short of Penn State Altoona, 126-128. The men's team fell to Penn State Altoona, 166-83. This meet was different than a normal collegiate dual meet as it was a sprint stroke meet. No stroke other than freestyle would race more than 100 yards. Additionally, this dual meet did not include diving as Penn State Altoona does not have a diving team.
The women found the wall first through the first five events. Freshman
Ainsley Huang (Portola Valley, Calif./Summit Prep) started off the day strong for the Presidents, recording the first individual win of the day. Huang won the 1000 yard freestyle with a time of 12:16.62.
The men's first win of the day came from
Colin Higinbotham (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) in the 50 yard freestyle. Higinbotham recorded a time of 22.47. Just one event later Higinbotham returned to the pool to record another win in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 51.19.
Amanda Graves (Irwin, Pa./Penn Trafford) picked up two wins for the Presidents. Graves took home the gold in the 50 yard backstroke (30.54) and the 100 yard backstroke (1:03.54). Additionally, she placed second in the 100 yard butterfly with an 1:03.80.
Freshman
Sydney Neumann (Long Beach, Calif./Millikan) also recorded two first place finishes for the red and black in her collegiate swimming debut. Neumann clocked in a time of 35.61 for the 50 yard breaststroke, earning her first place. She then continued to dominate as she won the 100 yard breaststroke by over two seconds with a time of 1:18.09.
Nathan Smith (Fort Defiance, Va./Fort Defiance) helped score points for W&J. Smith clocked in a time of 55.83 in the 100 yard butterfly to secure second place. He then finished his 100 yard backstroke with a time of 58.38 to claim second place once again.
Freshman
Taylor Newton (Olyphant, Pa./Scranton Prep) and
Molly Nielsen (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) each brought home one win for the Presidents. Nielsen won the 200 yard freestyle by over six seconds, clocking in a time of 2:05.56. Newton secured the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 5:54.84, winning that event by 15 seconds over Penn State Altoona's, Sarah Petry, second place finisher.
Andrew Ivory (Gibsonia, Pa./Mars) picked up three top three finishes to help out W&J. Ivory finished second in the 200 yard freestyle (1:57.69), third in the 100 yard breaststroke (1:09.53), and third in the 200 yard IM (2:12.94)
W&J swimming & diving will be hosting their 21-22 home opener next Saturday, Oct. 23 at Henry Memorial Natatorium. The Presidents will welcome the Bethany Bison with a 1 p.m. start time.
