Consistency helps Swim and Dive’s early season
By Luke Adamo, Sports Reporter
Swim and Dive has experienced a period of consistency from a handful of individual swimmers. A wide variety of swimmers from all classes have played a major role in the team’s early consistent success in the pool. Cassandra Ercoli, Evie Leighton and Elliot Somers have led the senior class, while Isla Ho and Emma Cwiklinski have been staples for the freshman class.
Head Coach Scott Vanderzell spoke highly of the freshman class. “They are very diverse in their events and complement the returners, making the team much deeper. They’ve stepped right in and made an impact in both the individual events and relays.”
Ho and Cwiklinski have been some of the highlights for the newcomers on the women’s team. Ho has been the better of the two as she has been one of the top finishers for the Griffs in every meet this season. She has won five fly events so far, including a sweep against Geneseo on Oct. 24. She also placed second and third in the rest of her events.
Cwiklinski got off to a strong start of her own, winning the 500 freestyle against Rochester and Siena as well as winning two free events against Geneseo. “Both have stepped in and made an immediate impact at meets,” said Vanderzell. Ho’s two wins in the team’s last meet against Binghamton earned the Australian native Metro Co-Rookie of the Week honors.
Senior Cassandra Ercoli has been a leader for the Griffs as she is the women’s leading performer. She placed second in each race on Saturday against Binghamton and on Oct. 24 against Geneseo. She also won three races on Oct. 17 against Rochester and Siena. Ercoli is currently ranked 15th in the Metro Conference in overall performance amongst all swimmers. Evie Leighton has been the other senior on the women’s side who has posted consistent success, racking up multiple first and second place finishes this season. Against Geneseo, Leighton picked up victories in both the 100 free and 200 free events.
Elliot Somers has led the men’s team throughout the season. He’s the men’s leading point scorer and is ranked 17th in the Metro. He started this season with a first place finish in the 200 medley relay on Oct. 17. He followed that up by picking up two victories against Geneseo, as well as a second and third place finish in that meet. Last weekend, he picked up a victory in the 100–yard backstroke as well as two second place finishes in the 50–yard backstroke and 200-yard medley relay.
Vanderzell believes that junior Rhys Insley has been a consistent piece this season as well. “He has been at the top of his swimming so far this year,” said Vanderzell. Insley currently ranks sixth on the team in performance.
The Griffs will take on Little Three rival St. Bonaventure on Saturday at the Burt Flickinger Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The meet is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
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