Swimming and diving teams split weekend at Rochester Invitational

NYU men’s swimming and diving team competed at the University Athletic Association Invitational held at the University of Rochester on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27. The Violets defeated Brandeis University (294-64) and lost to the University of Rochester (218-150), Carnegie Mellon University (246-122) and Case Western Reserve University (250-120).

In the men’s 100-yard butterfly, sophomore Jerry Crowley took home first place by over a full second (50.66). Crowley also won the men’s 100-yard freestyle, winning by over a second and finishing the race with a time of 46.96. In another third impressive performance, Crowley also won the men’s 50-yard freestyle (21.28).

Sophomore Jaime Perez, sophomore Aleksandr Koukharevitch, freshman Ray Oo and Crowley won the men’s 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:26.78, posting a new UAA record.

Sophomore Austen Blease won the men’s one and three-meter diving events with scores of 324.50 and 334.15, respectively.

NYU women’s swimming and diving team also competed at the UAA Invitational. The Violets defeated Brandeis University (264-82) and lost to the University of Rochester (195-173), Carnegie Mellon University (217-146) and Case Western Reserve University (198-169).

In the women’s 500-yard freestyle, freshman Caitie Hawthorne easily eclipsed her competition, winning by almost four full seconds (5:18.70). For her second victory of the day, Hawthorne won the women’s 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:13.38, but it was a much closer finish.

Senior Savanna Keator narrowly edged out her competition in the women’s 100-yard breaststroke, winning by .17 seconds (1:08.81).

The powerhouse relay team consisting of juniors Gabrielle Borutecene and Nina Rusiewski, freshman Sam Hill and Hawthorne won the women’s 800-yard freestyle relay and set a UAA record with a time of 8:02.65.

Freshman Nealy Wallis continued her great first season, adding two more victories in the one and three-meter diving events with scores of 244.70 and 251.95 points, respectively. Wallis won both events at the season opener last weekend.

“The start of the season is always difficult because we are so broken down from training but we have started strong and are excited for a good season,” said sophomore short-distance swimmer Emily Doerner.

Next up for the NYU men and women’s swimming and diving teams is the competition against Stevens Institute of Technology on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 at Palladium Athletic Facility.

Nicholas Nemeroff is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.