The end is looming. It is coming into focus.
With only five meets left for the men’s and women’s squads, attention is shifting to the championships.
However, there is the rest of the season to finish before that. The two Red teams are poised to do well, and are concentrating on perfecting their events for the final races of the season. Both Cornell squads will face action tomorrow as the Colgate men’s and women’s teams visit Ithaca for competition at Teagle Hall at noon.
The Red men (3-3, 2-3 EISL) are coming off a 138-100 win over Army, avenging last season’s home loss to the Cadets. The men also competed in a tri-meet with Navy and Yale over winter break, earning a league win over the Midshipmen and falling to the Bulldogs.
Cornell is taking on a 6-5 Colgate squad. The meet should give the Red a chance to try swimmers in different events and mix things up. Colgate was trounced earlier in the season by Army, 179-62.
The men have a strong balance of youth and experience. Upperclassmen Ryan Buckham, Eric Gonzalez, Forrest Kennedy, and John Kenny have starred for the Red. The team has dominated the distance freestyle events, often sweeping. Key swims at crucial times have made a difference for Cornell, often deflating its opponent’s morale.
Underclassmen have adjusted to campus life and are making an impact in the pool. Danny Diette, John Dyste, Scott Paavola, and Paul Teta have all stepped up to make head coach Joe Lucia proud.
The women’s team (2-4, 1-4 Ivy) hopes to continue its winning ways after last week’s win over St. Bonaventure, 133-110. The women hope to gain focus swimming against Colgate and then Binghamton before finishing their Ivy season, capping the year with the Ivy Championships.
The Raiders (7-4) are coming off a 139-102 loss to Bucknell, which ended a five-meet winning streak.
The Cornell women are swimming strongly, especially in the relay events. This allows the Red to start off meets with an advantage on the scoreboard. The team also looks good in the sprint freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke events. Freshmen Meredith Blackman, Elissa Kline, Alyson Melin, and diver Kara Neal have bolstered the Red squad. Cornell has also seen improvement from veterans Deanne Moyer, Kari Tornabene, Whitney Yates, and co-captain Shayne Geneva.
Even with the finish in sight, the Red will concentrate on the Raiders tomorrow, but will keep an eye on the championships just over the horizon.
Archived article by Cammy Kandiko