ANNAPOLIS, Md. –– The Navy swimming and diving teams combined to win nine events as each split meets against LSU and UConn Friday and Saturday at Lejeune Hall in Annapolis. The Navy women's team posted a 224-129 victory over UConn and lost a 244-109 decision to LSU, while the Navy men defeated UConn by the score of 273-74 and lost, 201-52, to LSU.
The meets served as the season-opening duals for all of the teams.
"It was an excellent way for us to open the season against two quality teams in UConn and LSU," said Navy men's swimming head coach
Bill Roberts. "LSU was terrific both days. I am pleased with the efforts and racing for our program today. We will only get better from here, but this is a good starting point."
"It was fun to get our season started against two very good teams," said Navy women's swimming head coach
John Morrison. "We had some good swims and also saw we have lots to improve upon."
"We had some ups and downs, which is to be expected in the first meet of the year and it being this early in the season," said Navy diving coach
Rich MacDonald. "It was good to see some of the divers already qualify for the NCAA Zone Meet with their efforts this weekend. We definitely have some positive things to take away from this meet, but we also have some things that we are now reminded to be focused on and work toward doing."
Placing first in a pair of events for the Navy women were
Lauren Barber (Sr., New Wilmington Pa.) and
Martina Thomas (Fr., Fayetteville, Ark.). Barber won the 200 breaststroke in a time of 2:16.48 and the 100 breaststroke with a clocking of 1:02.16. Thomas opened the individual event portion of the two-day meet by winning the 500 freestyle in a time of 4:56.52 on Friday. She would then win the 200 free on Saturday with an effort of 1:49.64.
Winning two events for the Navy men's team was
Brayden Lauffer (Sr., Apex, N.C.). He would place first in the 200 individual medley with a time of 4:34.59 before winning the 200 breaststroke with a clocking of 2:02.56. Also winning events for the Navy men were
Billy Cadigan (So., Lutherville, Md.), 500 free (4:34.59);
Noah Vial (Fr., Corvallis, Ore.), 1000 free (9:31.41); and the 200 freestyle relay team of
Vince Everman (Sr., Philadelphia, Pa),
James Wilson (Jr., Ephrata, Pa.),
Daniel Cook (So., Virginia Beach, Va.) and
Zach Piedt (Sr., Fort Mill, S.C.).
Navy's teams also combined to place second in 16 events. This included Barber, Thomas and Lauffer each placing second in two events.
"Brayden had a great weekend," said Roberts. "He had two good wins last night and was very competitive in his events today. Noah winning the 1000 was a good win. Our depth was really good. We had a lot of guys, including newer guys, stepping into a different role. They will continue to evolve as well."
"It was nice to see good racing from our freshman class," said Morrison. "Martina showed good form all weekend."
Navy will continue its season Friday when the Mids play host to UMBC at 4 p.m.
