BROOKE ATKINS
Staff Writer
With four away swim meets to start the season, the Fredonia men’s swimming and diving team opened up at home with a meet against Geneseo, where it was defeated by a score of 129-162.
After coming off a few tough weeks on the road, the men were ready to buckle down and open up the first home meet of the season strong.
With having to keep the streak going of winning in his own personal events, senior captain Will Baker fell nothing short of starting his last home opener with a bang. Baker started out the meet with the 100-yard freestyle, beating the other swimmers with a time of 48.75. Following that, he competed in the 200-yard freestyle, where he took first place again with a time of 1:48.23.
“I was feeling focused. It always take a lot to mentally prepare yourself for a race where you are always pushing yourself to beat your personal best and come out on top,” said Baker. “It was my last first home meet ever, so I was very nostalgic but so proud. I love my team and I am excited for this season to push ourselves and for the team to succeed.”
Sophomore Graham Jones and junior Adam Clouthier came out stronger claiming their individual events. Jones won the 1,000-yard freestyle in 10:40.53 and Clouthier won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:02.69. Following close behind, Jake Favret was second behind Clouthier with a half-second off the pace.
Clouthier said that since Geneseo is the team’s toughest matchup in SUNYACs, the fact that his teammates came away with personal records mattered more than getting a win. And with winter coming up, the team will get even more room to practice during its annual training trip.
“This season I am most looking forward to how the team will adjust when we leave for our winter training trip. We practice twice as often and twice as hard,” said Clouthier. “We come back stronger as swimmers and as a family. I love seeing that transition.”
Junior Arron Carlson represented diving with winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards. He posted a score of 312.80 for the 3-meter diving and 278.70 for the 1-meter board.
“I was nervous going into this meet because I was coming off some previous meets that I had won with some of my best scores, I didn’t want to let myself down,” said Carlson.
With the season just starting off, high expectations are still being set for the team.
“My goal is the same as last year, to keep improving. I would love to make nationals again and make top eight. Last year left me with confidence and a feeling of desire to see how good I can do in this sport,” Carlson said.
Swimming and Diving’s next meet is on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. where Fredonia will host Alfred University.