WASHINGTON, Pa. -- This past week (Feb. 1-7) marked the resumption of Washington & Jefferson College Athletics, as women's swimming & diving, women's basketball and men's basketball returned to competition. 

Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, the Washington & Jefferson College Athletics went 326 days between official competitions. Athletics officially made its return when the women's swimming & diving program hosted Franciscan University on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at Henry Memorial Natatorium. The W&J men's and women's basketball teams started their respective 2021 slates this past weekend. 

Women's Swimming & Diving: The Presidents split a pair of Presidents' Athletic Conference matchups. W&J opened the season with a 129-108 loss to Franciscan on Tuesday. The Presidents bounced back Friday night at Bethany, as the Red and Black cruised to a 160-14 victory at Bethany. W&J freshman Molly Nielsen (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) won all four of her individual races over the week. She won the 50 free (28.4) and the 200 free (2:10.31) in the opener Tuesday against Franciscan. Nielsen was first in the 100 free (58.27) and 200 free (2:12.90) Friday night at Bethany. She ranks eighth in the PAC in the 50 and 200 free and ninth in the 100 free. W&J freshman Amanda Graves (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) Won all four of her individual races over the week. She won the 100 free (57.65) and 100 back (1:05.52) against Franciscan before finishing first in the 50 free (27.20) and posting the best time in the 100 fly (1:06.52) against Bethany. Graves ranks sixth in the PAC in the 100 free and 100 back, eighth in the 100 fly and ninth in the 50 free. First-year Taylor Weyrich (McMurray, Pa./Seton LaSalle) recorded first place finishes in the one-meter dives in each meet. 

Women's Basketball: W&J opened the season with a 78-58 victory over Bethany College Friday night at the Salvitti Family Gymnasium. Senior forward Alie Seto (Allison, Pa./Brownsville) filled the stat sheet with game highs in points (21) and rebounds (11) in a 78-58 PAC victory over Bethany. Hannah Johnston (East Freedom, Pa./Central) finished with 13 points while newcomer Sarah Berardelli (Ambridge, Pa./North Catholic) tallied 11 points. Junior guard Piper Morningstar (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) posted a strong all-around performance with eight points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals. Seto was recognized Monday as the PAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week. 

Men's Basketball: The Presidents used a late rally to finish off a 65-59 victory over Chatham University Saturday afternoon at Salvitti Family Gymnasium. Cameron Seemann (Loveland, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller) poured in a game-high 22 points and added nine rebounds while Kyran Mitchell (Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic) posted his first collegiate double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for W&J. Trailing 40-28 in the early stages of the second half, W&J used a 23-8 run to regain the lead for good and secure the victory.