SPORTS
Wildcats Open Swim Season With Women’s Win over Queens
Davidson divers showed off their skills before the swimming meet.
DAVIDSON — Win, lose or draw, Davidson swim coach John Young said he would have come away happy from Thursday afternoon’s season-opening meet with Queens.
After the out-of-water challenges of last season, the fact Cannon Pool was filled with swimmers and fans from both teams was generating positive vibes. But the Wildcats also showed up in the results against the six-time NCAA Division II national champions from Charlotte.
“There were performances in line with our expectations and some performances that surprised us pleasantly,” said Young. “And even for the people who won, there are things to work on. There’s a lot of season left, but we feel good about where we’re starting.”
The winning Davidson women’s medley relay.
The Davidson women defeated Queens 157-137, while the Davidson men were outdone 200-94.
Defending Atlantic 10 champions Shelby Stanley, Siena Senn and Abby Francis earned wins for the Davidson women, with Stanley, the 2021 A-10 Most Outstanding Performer, sweeping the butterfly events. She won the 100 fly in 56.57 and set the pace in the 200 fly in 2:06.94.
Senn, a two-time A-10 500 free champion, won it in 5:04.48, while Francis won the 50 free in 24.22.
“The leadership on the women’s side was ready to go,” said Young.
Additionally, Francis and Stanley teamed with Hope Carpenter and Hannah Gould to win the 4×50 medley relay (1:46.25), while Francis, Senn, Gould and Martha Tripsa touched the wall first in the 4×100 free relay (3:32.54).
Wildcat Sylvia Stewart-Bates took first in the 1,000 free (10:28.95) and freshman Rani Greer swam out front in the 100 breast (1:06.09).
Breaking off the blocks at the start of the race.
Davidson capitalized on an advantage in diving, as Annica Valmassei posted the highest scores in the 3-meter (258.00) and 1-meter (233.80). Ben Cutforth picked up key points for the Davidson men, with scores of 272.33 and 253.88 in the 3-meter and 1-meter, respectively.
Second-place was the top finish for the Davidson men Thursday, with notable swims coming from Cael McLaren (100 breast, 59.46), Miles Charles (100 fly, 51.60; 200 fly, 1:59.32), Ben McClain (200 free, 1:44.18) and Owen Corkery (200 back, 1:55.05). The men’s 4×100 relay of Jeremy Kemp, Ian Brann, Ty McLaren and McClain touched the wall second in 3:11.32.
“On the men’s side, they’ve got some top-end talent that was tough to hang with, but we feel good with what we’re developing,” said Young.
Up Next
Davidson will host Old Dominion on Friday, Oct. 15 in Cannon Pool.