VESTAL, N.Y. (October 14, 2015) -- In its first contest of the 2015-16 season, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point men's swimming and diving team earned two wins in a tri-meet in Vestal, N.Y. The Black Knights defeated Binghamton 170.50-117.50 and NJIT 188-93 Oct. 10.
"It was a great opening meet for the Army team," said head coach Mickey Wender. "I am very proud of our performance. This team brings a level of professionalism and ambition that is going to take us a long way. I was very proud of our plebes in the way they stepped up in their first collegiate meet. They were great and really took ownership of what they were trying to do and contributed a tremendous amount in the pool and on the deck. It was a great team win in a competitive meet."
Army placed first in 10-of-16 races and had numerous Cadets with multiple first place finishes.
The Black Knights were first off the blocks in the 200 medley relay and the team of Cadets Josh Sembrano, Colin Kanzari, Austin Kong and Chris Szekely joined together to touch the wall in 1:34.19. Szekely's 20.71 in the final leg of the race broke the Bearcat's pool record. The Black Knights' "B" squad of Cadets Evin Rude, Sam Mo, Jason Rodriguez and Brandon McCredie placed third in 1:36.18.
Mo won first in both breaststroke events, while Rude was first in the mid distance 200 and 500 free. Mo and Kanzari went one-two in the 100 breast with times of 59.72 and 1:00.20, respectively. The duo also finished in first and second places in the 200 breast after touching the wall in 2:11.04 (Mo) and 2:13.01 (Kanzari).
In the 200 free, Rude clocked a 1:42.77 to take first. Devin McCall (1:43.91) placed second, while Cadets Adam Sjoholm and Sean Martin placed fifth and sixth. Rude was also first in the 500 free with a time of 4:44.23. Tom Ottman (4:44.33), McCall (4:50.67) and Clay Harmon (4:51.62) followed to sweep the top four.
Ottman and Clay claimed the top two spots in the 1000 free with times of 9:46.74 and 9:55.13. In the 100 back, Sembrano touched the wall first in 51.09, while Cadet Alex Dempsey finished third with a time of 53.88. Cadet Jay Yang recorded a 200 fly time of 1:54.86 to take the top spot and was followed by Cadets Jason Rodriguez (1:55.45) and Zach Blankenbeker (1:56.10).
Szekely clocked a first place time of 46.08 in the 100 free. McCredie placed third and was followed by Sjholom. The Black Knights swept the top four spots of the 200 back with Sembrano leading the way with a time of 1:53.43. Cadets Matt McPheters, Yang and Michael Stanchi rounded out Army's top finishers.
In the diving events, Cadet Edward Emery represented Army on the 3-meter and earned 171.95 points. Off the 1-meter he placed fourth with 205.45 points.
Army is back in action Oct. 16 when the team hosts UMass at Crandall Pool at 5 p.m.
Related Links:
Army West Point Athletics website
U.S. Military Academy at West Point website
U.S. Army Garrison West Point website
Army West Point Athletics Facebook
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