Men’s swimmers and divers are a splashing success

Emma Carmichael Assistant Sports Editor

The Vassar College men’s swimming and diving team made program history at home last Saturday, Feb. 10 when they captured their first-ever Sprint Invitational victory with a 59-point lead over second-place Skidmore College. This win highlights a season of improvement for the Brewers, as the team collectively broke four meet records in just one afternoon.

Since its winter break training trip to West Palm Beach, Flo., the team has won three of its last five meets, including a 135-98 decision over SUNY-Maritime, another first victory for the program.

Diver Andrew Wood ’08 had possibly the team’s most impressive performance last Saturday, earning a score of 231.25 on his way to breaking both meet and school records for the 1-meter and 3-meter dives. As a result of his success, he was named a Liberty League Performer of the Week for the week of Feb. 12. Depending on his performance in the upcoming state meet, Wood has a chance to qualify for the NCAA national championship.

Meanwhile, in the swimming lanes, co-captain Tom Liu ’09 captured two meet records in the 100 Individual Medley and the 100 Breaststroke, and was a member of the 200 Medley Relay that set a new meet record as well. Liu swam the breaststroke in the 200 Medley, accompanied by Jeremy Shiman ’10, John Alaimo ’09 and Lars LaPann-Johannessen ’10. The foursome finished with a time of 1:45.77 to capture first place.

LaPann-Johannessen, a freshman with three years of collegiate swimming left ahead of him, called it “an honor” to win the medley relay and “to be a part of the strong athletic tradition at Vassar.”

Co-captain Doug Dalessandro ’07, who swam a personal best of 5:50.80 in the 500 Freestyle, said that he and his teammates, felt confident going into the meet. “Everyone on [the] team knew that we could put up a ‘W’ in the invite if we did what we always do—that is, come out, get rowdy, and race hard. I attribute the win to the outstanding team chemistry and spirit that we have shown throughout the year…our camaraderie is unmatched.”

Liu agreed that the team has a feeling of “brotherhood” that contributes to its improvement and success. “This was a meet to showcase the [team]…The competitiveness, support, and enthusiasm that this team radiates elevates us all to a higher level of performance…We take pride in belonging to a brotherhood which brings nothing but good feelings,” said Liu. “Everyone does their part and works hard to make sure they can keep a standard that everyone else can be proud of.”

“[The meet was] a great opportunity to get up and compete well in the swimming and diving events. All of the men’s performances were elevated; everyone had someone to race against,” said Coach Lisl Prater-Lee.

Dalessandro, the team’s sole senior, swam in his last home meet on Saturday and commended the effort put forth by his team’s underclassmen, which currently make up 11 of the team’s 13 swimmers. “Most of the improvement that we have shown this year is due to the enthusiasm of our underclassmen,” said Dalessandro. “We are looking forward to racing fast as a group during the state championships and I’m sure this will carry on into future years.”

The Brewers face a week of preparation before their season culminates with the annual Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association Championships in Syracuse, N.Y. from Feb. 22-24. “We know we can swim fast and dive very well on both boards,” said Prater-Lee. “We will be very ready for New York state championships.”