Ephmen jump out to early lead at NESCACs
MIDDLEBURY, VT- The Williams College men’s swimming and diving team (8-0) went into Friday’s NESCAC championships looking to win their 6th consecutive league title. They concluded Day 1 action with four event conference championships and a 51.5 lead over Tufts.
“We had a great morning session and started the day very well,” said head coach Steve Kuster. “However, the night session was a little more up and down than we would have liked.”
The 400 yard medley relay was one of the most successful events for the Ephs, not only because they grabbed the title, but because its participants went on to have success in other events. Senior Alex Wentworth-Ping, junior Tyler Bonewell, and first years Worth MacDonald and Ben Wampler finished first (3:24.83) for the Ephs.
Bonewell had an impressive individual effort to go along with his relay success. In the morning session, Bonewell set a school, pool, meet, and NESCAC record in the 50 yard breaststroke (26.18). He followed that up by grabbing the league title in the night session (26.31). Wampler and Wentworth-Ping also added significant points to the Ephs team total by finishing third in the 50 yard freestyle (20.91) and the 50 yard butterfly (22.93) respectively.
The top story in the 50 yard butterfly, however, was the performance of junior Norman Scott. Not only did Scott take home the league title (22.38), but he also set personal, meet, and pool records in the process. First year Gary Roberson followed up that event with a respectable 3rd place finish in the 500 yard freestyle (4:33.26).
One of the biggest events, points-wise for the Ephs, was the 200 yard IM. Williams swimmers grabbed the top four spots in the event, along with the top four point values. Senior Henry Felker finished first (1:53.48), while senior Chris Millen (1:54.01), junior Thatcher Heumann (1:54.81), and senior Ben Bullitt (1:55.06) rounded out the top four spots.
“Tomorrow we need to come out and have another good morning session and follow that up with just as good of a night session,” said Kuster.
The Ephs continue their quest for NESCAC title tomorrow with the Day 2 events.
