By Grace Malec, Sports Editor
Swim and Dive team seniors are recognized at their meet against Davenport – Photo by Grace Malec
On Saturday, Oct. 25th, Aquinas Swim and Dive hosted their Senior Day celebration alongside their first home meet of the season against Davenport University.
Although both the Men’s and Women’s teams ended up falling behind Davenport, with a Men’s team losing to Davenport 115 to 185 and the Women’s team falling 197 to 102.
Regardless of the overall results, many Saints had individual successes to set the tone for the rest of the season. Senior Ian Clapp remained resilient. After merely falling in the 100 backstroke, Clapp came back to win the 200 backstroke.
The senior day celebration marked a milestone for Aquinas Swim and Dive; their largest senior class in program history. The team recognized 19 graduating seniors from the program, a large jump from only one graduating senior last season.
“It was definitely bitter sweet,” senior Claire Hines said. “It was really special to be celebrated alongside some of my closest friends and surrounded by the support of our friends and family. It’s a very tight knit senior group and we have been through a lot together these past four years. I couldn’t be prouder of all that we’ve accomplished and it makes me a little sad that it’s our last season together.”
AQ Swimmers get set for a race against Davenport – Photo by Grace Malec
Not only did Senior Day mark a new record for the senior class size, many individual and school records were broken by members of the team. Freshman Elena Cavadas broke the school record in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:36.07. Freshman Hannah Brown found her ranks in the 50 freestyle race, with a 24.47, and found herself in the top five times in the team’s history. William Sneller set a new record in his 500 free race with a time of 4:41.60.
“I would describe our senior night as both sad and happy,” senior Matthew Dumbsky said. “I am definitely sad my time at Aquinas is coming to a close, and I am sad I have increasingly less opportunities to spend with this wonderful team, but I would say more so I am happy that we made it this far, and built something that is genuinely worth celebrating. It makes me wonder how I ever had any doubts about joining this team in the first place.”
Four members of the Men’s dive team earned qualifying scores for the NAIA nationals. Evan Bennett, Troy Borrero, Cooper Wasson and Major Vance all found success in their dives.
“I was so extremely glad to compete with my teammates for our first home meet,” Borrero said. “I was really happy with how the team did overall, but most excited with our new divers performance.”
The Saints bounced back from their tough meet against Davenport at the meet held by Bethel University on Nov. 1. The team showed out, breaking a new record for the women’s 400 medley relay with a time of 4:04.21.
Both teams return to competition on Nov. 8 as they travel to Hillsdale College for a meet against Hillsdale and Indiana Wesleyan.
The Saint 