The William and Mary men's swimming team achieved a historic pair of victories Saturday at the CAA Pod Meet in Harrisonburg, sweeping UNCW 180-167 and Delaware 227-117. It was the first win over the Seahawks for the Tribe since 1998-99, and improved W&M to 5-0 (3-0 CAA) for the first time since the early 1970s.
Complete ResultsThe Tribe was led on the day by senior
Andrew Strait (Henrico, Va.), who beat all opponents in two individual events as well as helping W&M to a win in the 200 medley relay. He won the 200 breast in 2:05.89 and the 200 IM in 1:53.24, and swam the breaststroke leg of the medley relay that won in 1:32.14, the seventh-fastest time in school history. He was joined on the relay by
Will Manion (Haddonfield, N.J.),
Justin Barden (Gordonsville, Va.), and
Billy Russell (Newport News, Va.).
Manion and Barden also picked up wins against both opponents in their individual events. Manion timed 1:49.73 to claim victory in the 200 back, while Barden swam 49.80 seconds in the 100 fly for the gold medal. The Tribe's final individual win came in the 100 free, where junior
Taegan Clarke (Chappaqua, N.Y.) defeated all Delaware opponents in 47.57. The 400 free relay team of
Alex Montes de Oca (Orange, Va.), Manion,
Joe Eiden (White Plains, N.Y.), and Clarke combined to swim 3:06.60, beating Delaware again, and recording the 15th-fastest time ever at W&M.
William and Mary is back in action next weekend, swimming at Duke on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m.
