The William & Mary men's swimming team once again turned it on in prelims at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships, advancing 14 men to finals on Thursday including 13 making the championship heats. The Tribe catapulted into the lead with 224 points, with Drexel second with 160 points and Towson and UNCW separated by just two points, 135 to 133, respectively. Delaware rounds out the field with 43 points.
500 Free
- W&M started the morning with five men entered in the 500 free, and all five advanced to the championship finals tonight.
- Sophomore
Christopher Pfuhl (Charlotte, N.C.) was the top finisher, swimming a lifetime-best 4:27.28 for second overall. That was the 11th-fastest single race ever at W&M, and improved Pfuhl to sixth all-time among Tribe athletes.
- Junior
Chris Balbo (Short Hills, N.J.) and senior
Carter Kale (Williamsburg, Va.) tied for third in the morning, touching the wall simultaneously in 4:27.71, the 13th-fastest times in school history. For Balbo, it was also a lifetime-best, improving him to eighth all-time at W&M.
- Junior
Ian Bidwell (Pelham, N.Y.) was second in his heat in 4:29.45 for fifth overall, and senior
Eric Grimes (Louisville, Ky.), winner in this event as a freshman, made yet another championship race with his sixth-place time of 4:29.64.
| Place |
Athlete |
Time |
Notes |
| 2. |
Christopher Pfuhl |
4:27.28 |
A final, PB, #11 perf, #6 ath |
| 3. |
Chris Balbo |
4:27.71 |
A final, PB, #13 perf, #8 ath |
| 3. |
Carter Kale |
4:27.71 |
A final, SB, #13 perf |
| 5. |
Ian Bidwell |
4:29.45 |
A final, SB |
| 6. |
Eric Grimes |
4:29.64 |
A final, SB |
200 IM
- W&M had another five qualifiers in the 200 IM, including four in the championship section.
- Junior
Ben Skopic (Marriottsville, Md.) was second overall in 1:48.38, just ahead of sophomore
Jake Kealy (Wilton, Conn.) in third at 1:49.39.
- Junior
Lee Bradley (Crestwood, Ky.) swam a lifetime-best 1:50.10 for fifth overall, and improved himself to 10th all-time at W&M.
- Close behind him with a season-best time of 1:50.94 was freshman
Steven Thalblum (Ashburn, Va.) who finished sixth overall. Thalblum now ranks 13th in school history in the event.
- Advancing to the B final was another rookie,
Kade Younger (Newport News, Va.), who finished 15th overall in a season-fast 1:53.20.
50 Free
- The 50 free has been a Tribe strong suit over the last several years and looks to be again this year, with W&M advancing four men to the championship heat.
- Leading the way once again was junior
Colin Wright (Williamsburg, Va.), who was just off his lifetime-best in earning the top seed in 19.66 seconds. That was an NCAA provisional qualifier and the second-fastest time in school history, behind only the school record 19.62 Wright set back in 2017.
- Junior
Jack Doherty (Middletown, Conn.) also swam an NCAA qualifier, and earned the second seed in finals with a lifetime-best swim of 19.88 seconds. That was the sixth-fastest race ever at W&M, and moves Doherty up to second all-time among Tribe athletes.
- Junior
Ian Thompson (Alexandria, Va.) also advanced to the championship heat in sixth place, swimming a season-fast 20.41 seconds, as did redshirt-senior
Evan Baker (Chantilly, Va.) who was eighth with a season-best 20.50 seconds.
100 Back Time Trial
- Senior
Joey Rento (Newport News, Va.), who will begin his official events tomorrow, took advantage of his off day to time-trial the 100 back following prelims. He swam a lifetime-best 50.50 seconds, lopping more than eight-tenths off his best in the event, and improving to 15th all-time at W&M in the 100 back.
The finals of all three swimming events as well as the 200 free relay begin tonight at 6 p.m., streaming live and for free on CAA.TV.
2019 CAA Men's Swimming & Diving Championships
Projected Team Standings Following Prelims
1. William & Mary 224
2. Drexel 160
3. Towson 135
4. UNCW 133
5. Delaware 43
