Blue Wave tops New Paltz as Geneseo Invitational approaches

It seems like all the Blue Wave knows how to do is win. The team continued to impress on Saturday Jan. 31 at home against SUNY New Paltz with both the men and women earning victories.

Senior swimming veteran Abigail Max was very pleased with the teams’ performance this past weekend, as the Blue Wave broke several long standing records.

“We did really well as a team this weekend; our coach was pleased,” Max said. “We ended up breaking a pool record in the 400 medley relay which was exciting. [Sophomore] Louisa “Leeza” Seelbach, [sophomore] Emily Jaworski, [junior] Jenna Gibbons and I were on that relay.”

The Blue Wave also saw success in the diving area, with even more records being broken. “Our divers also did amazing,” Max said. “[Junior] Caroline Gardner broke two school records.”

While getting a win is always a positive, the Blue Wave was pleased to have won against such a worthy adversary. “We went into the meet knowing that New Paltz was our biggest competition in the conference, so we were excited for some competition,” Max said.

The Blue Wave does not have any down time between meets as it prepares for the Geneseo Invitational on Saturday Feb. 7 and the SUNYAC Championships beginning on Feb. 18. The Geneseo Invitational has a special meaning for Max and the other seniors, as it will be their last time competing at home.

“This weekend is our last home meet so the seniors will be recognized,” Max said. “Each senior will also be recognizing one faculty member.” After that meet, the Blue Wave will prepare for what it has been working toward all season: SUNYACs.

Max said that since SUNYACs are looming near, the team wants to make sure all members are sufficiently prepared so they are able to compete to the best of their ability. “Because we are so close to SUNYACs, a lot of us will be swimming different events than normal,” she said. “It should be a nice change up.”

The Blue Wave is matched up against five competitive teams at the Geneseo Invitational, all hungry to take home a victory. “We are competing against [SUNY] Oswego, [SUNY] Brockport, Alfred State [University], Buffalo State [University] and Mansfield [University],” Max said. “SUNYACs are right around the corner, so everyone is staying focused and getting excited to swim fast.” The SUNYAC Championships start on Feb. 18.