ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy swimming and diving teams successfully opened this season's home slate by posting victories over George Washington Saturday morning in Lejeune Hall. The Navy men's team (2-1) recorded a 154-134 win over the Revolutionaries (0-2) and the Navy women's team (1-1) tallied a 162.5-137.5 victory over George Washington (0-2).
Navy won each of the 2023 Patriot League team titles and George Washington won both of last year's Atlantic 10 Conference crowns.
"The team came out hungry and ready to compete on this its second-consecutive day of competition," said Navy men's swimming head coach
Bill Roberts. "There is a mental component to competing the morning following a competition. I was very happy with their approach to this second day. It was nice to compete in Lejeune Hall for the first time this season, as well."
The Navy teams combined to win all four relay events as well as 15 individual swimming events and both men's diving boards. A combined five Mids won at least one individual race or board and 11 recorded at least one victory.
Included among Navy's individual event winners were siblings
Ben Irwin winning both of the men's backstroke events (49.34, 1:47.26, respectively) and
Caroline Irwin winning the women's 100 fly race (55.35).
Leading the teams in victories was
Lauren Walsh, who swept the women's breaststroke events (1:03.43, 2:19.45, respectively) and the 200 individual medley (2:07.06). Joining her with multiple wins from the women's team was
Maya Novack, who won the 50 (23.97) and 100 (51.09) sprint freestyle races.
Michael Phillips continued his winning ways one day after placing first in three events during Friday's win at UMBC. Today, he touched the wall first in the 100 (56.08) and 200 (2:03.01) breaststroke races.
Everet Andrew also won a pair of events Saturday as he earned the victories in the 200 (1:39.06) and 500 (4:36.21) free races.
Completing the list of winners for the Navy women's team was
Ela Habjan as she placed first in the 100 back (55.53). On the men's side,
Luca Oliva won the 1000 free (9:25.71),
Patrick Colwell won the 200 fly (1:49.40),
Finn Gelbach finished in first place in the three-meter diving event (362.03) and
Blakeman Shaw won the gold medal in the one-meter contest (345.45).
Navy will next be in competition Nov. 4 when it plays host to American, Bucknell and Lafayette.
