BROOKE ATKINS
Asst. Social Media Manager
By less than a second, the men’s swimming and diving team gained their second win of the season at home.
“A win is always nice, it just takes a blend of confidence and work to make it happen,” said Coach Arthur Wang.
Before going into the final event of the match against Nazareth, the men needed at least a first and third-place win in the 200-yard freestyle relay to win the meet.
“The men’s meet went back and forth, but we knew a first and third place were required. You start to feel cautiously optimistic,” Wang stated about the relay event.
Sophomore Bill Bradley, senior Will Baker, sophomore Graham Jones and junior Liam Jones finished .19 seconds ahead of the Nazareth men, who placed second. Sophomore David Carls and junior Arron Carlson took third place just .49 seconds ahead of the fourth-place Nazareth team.
The Blue Devils won 152-148, which is their closest meet of the season thus far.
“I was excited heading into the meet. I knew every event was going to be close, and we could come out with a team win,” freshman Jacob Favret said. “The main goal is always to get a team win, and everyone always strives for that.”
Besides the nail-biting win, Carlson set a new Steele Hall Natatorium record in the 3-meter dive with a score of 348.75. Keeping his streak going, Carlson took first place in the 1-meter dive with a score of 301.75.
“My goal at the beginning of the year was to go after the pool records and make it back to nationals … accomplishing my first goal before our half way point feels great. It gives me confidence to know that I have improved this much and still have time to work on the little things,”said Carlson.
Back in the pool, Baker claimed first-place spot in the 100-yard at 49.72 and the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:48.74. Baker finished second to Liam Jones in the 50-yard freestyle. Liam Jones finished first place in the 50-yard freestyle, which was almost better than his previous performance. Junior Adam Clouthier won the 100-yard breaststroke at 1:02.37.
Senior Rafael Santiago helped out the diving team by taking second in the 1-meter dive at 280.10, and freshman Phil Tubbs also claimed second in the 3-meter and third in the 1-meter at 257.65.
The men will return back to the Natatorium Dec. 4-6 where they will host the Blue Devil Invitational.