In their final meets of the season, the men’s and women’s swimming teams will try to add one more victory to their records before preparing for the biggest event of the year, the league championships. Tomorrow, the men will travel to Providence to take on Brown, while the women host Buffalo.
The men (7-2, 5-2 EISL) look to continue their five-meet winning streak, which began with a decisive 212-71 victory over Binghamton on Dec 1. The run includes a victory in the team’s last meet against Columbia on Jan 28.
The Red will look to the team’s tri-captains, seniors Danny Diette and Paul Teta and junior Stefano Caprara for leadership, but all swimmers will play a part in the outcome.
“It’s going to be a good meet,” said men’s head coach Joe Lucia. “Brown has some great match-ups and we need to [find] some better depth on the team.”
The Bears (3-6, 2-5 EISL), coming off tough losses to both Yale and Columbia, will look to take an early lead in the meet. In its last contest, Brown took four of the first five events, including a victory in the 400-yard medley relay.
The Red will have to watch out for Brown freshman Peter Volosin, who will put up an excellent race in the 1000-yard freestyle. Volosin holds the fastest time in the event in the league, finishing in 9:31.12.
“We want to finish strong in the meet,” Lucia said. “We think we’re ready and the team is looking forward to it.”
While the men are on the road, the women (3-7, 1-6 Ivy) will spend tomorrow hosting Buffalo. Despite losing to the Bulls last season, the women remain optimistic that this year’s result will display their talent and dedication.
“We’re a whole different team this year,” said senior co-captain Meredith Blackman. “We’re a lot stronger and more committed.”
Buffalo, who stands at 3-8 on the season, fell to both Bowling Green and Akron in its last competition. The Red’s last meet also ended with two losses, as the women fell to both Brown and Columbia at home.
Although the women put up a strong showing with many swimmers posting career-best times, three of Cornell’s top swimmers were out with the flu.
“We’re trying to keep our attitude up after the last meet,” Blackman said.
The Red will rely on the return of key butterflyers — juniors Ashley Johnson and Holly Chance. Freshman Leah Tourtellotte will also play a key role in the outcome of the meet.
Tourtellotte took first in the 50-yard freestyle against Columbia and posted a college-best 1:54.50 in the 200-yard free during the same meet.
The women, who won only two meets all of last season, are on their way to doubling that number this year.
“It’ll be a really close meet,” Blackman said. “But I think we’ll pull it out. There will definitely be some really good races.”
Archived article by Kristina Kovach
Sun Staff Writer