The Geneseo Blue Wave men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams continued to dominate in SUNYAC play following a dual meet victory against Buffalo State College on Saturday Feb. 2 at the University at Buffalo.
The men’s team posted a 131-124 victory buoyed by nine first-place finishes. The women’s team outscored Buffalo State 144-127 as both teams finished their final regular season away meet on a high note. “The competition wasn’t that strong but I thought they were focused,” head coach Paul Dotterweich said.
Freshman Justin Ongkingco turned in strong performances for the men’s team, winning the 100 backstroke in 1 minute, 3.59 seconds and swimming the second leg of the 200 medley relay to first place.
The rest of the winning relay team consisted of freshmen Andy Schunk and Tyler Roth as well as junior Paul Jennings, posting a time of 1:44.63.
Senior Frank Schiappa continued his impressive senior campaign by winning the 100 freestyle with a time of 47.95 and junior Brandon Peifer polished off Saturday’s meet with a win in the three-meter diving competition with a score of 283.5.
For the women’s team junior Emily Wanamaker led the Blue Wave, sweeping the diving events with scores of 246.9 in the one-meter board and 250.88 in the three-meter board. Saturday’s victories pushed Wanamaker’s individual winning streak to nine straight meets.
Peifer and Wanamaker’s repeated successes have been crucial to the Blue Wave’s overall achievement throughout the season.
“Both [divers] have broken school and pool records and [the coaching staff] is really looking for them to score big at SUNYACs,” Dotterweich said.
Juniors Kaitlin Wilcoxen, Lauren Boyce and Lily Powell tallied wins in the 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke and 200 butterfly, respectively, and contributed to the victory in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:55.4. Sophomore Abby Max rounded out the victorious relay team.
Senior Elyssa Max also contributed to the Blue Wave team victory, placing first in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:02.7.
With one meet left before the SUNYAC championships, Dotterweich believes that his teams are prepared to close out the season strong and capture yet another SUNYAC title.
“I think [the teams] are both very focused and excited for the championship meet,” Dotterweich said. “This is what we work for all season.”
The Blue Wave hosts the Geneseo Invitational for its final regular season meet on Saturday Feb. 9.