Friars Top Crusaders in Season’s Final Dual Meet

Looking to jump start the second half of their season, the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Teams put together a strong performance against New England neighbor Holy Cross on Saturday, Jan. 30, in Worcester, Mass. While the women put up a good fight, only losing by 43 points, 170-127, the men had arguably their best meet of the year, roaring to a 220-76 victory.

For the men, there was one Big East qualification with Eric Burtchell ’13, who qualified for three class A events. On the women’s side, freestyle specialist Alexis Fatigati ’11 made the cut in the 200-yard freestyle. Burtchell qualified in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke and the 200-yard IM.

The men’s team posted impressive victories throughout the meet, including a win in the 400-yard medley relay with a time of 3:44.58. The men’s squad placed first in all but the 100-yard breaststroke where PC lost by a little over a second. Providence earned the win in each of the 15 other events.

“Everyone put in a really good effort,” said Courtney Larcom ’11. “Holy Cross is normally a fun meet because it is really close and everyone did everything they possibly could to score points.”

Other wins were recorded by Tim Reilly ’10 in the 100-yard backstroke, Chris Morales ’13 in the 1000-yard freestyle and 200-yard butterfly, Mike Loftis ’10 in the 200-yard freestyle, Erin Nanna ’13 in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle, and Owen Hughes ’10 in the 50-yard freestyle.

Providence also took first and second in the men’s 400-yard medley relay. The first place team included Burtchell, Steve Zapf ’12, Collin Casciano ’12, and Matt Green ’12, and the second place team consisted of Marc Freda ’13, Jordan Rivera ’12, Joey Welch ’11, and Dave Wilson ’10.

For the divers, Allie Slack ’13 won third with 153.38 in the first round and Ben Kardian ’13 took first for the men with 147.31. In the second round, Amie Fracker ’13 and Black took first and second while for the men, Kardian and Jimmy Cebulski ’11 followed up with a one-two finish as well.

 “We now have 19 going to Big East, which is the most we have ever had since the cut-offs started,” said Head Coach John O’Neill.

A couple of years ago the whole team went to the Big East, but now with the qualifying time requirements, the 2010 team has beat a Providence record with 19 and there is still a possibility of more qualifications at the final meet of the season.

The team has put in the effort and it shows. The men have won five of their nine team meets and the women have put in a good effort at every meet. Even with the illnesses and injuries, the intensity of their training showed in the end.

“I was very proud of the women’s team,” said O’Neill. “We had everybody back in the water.”

There are two training groups going at the moment. One is training for the upcoming meet while the other is preparing for the Big East Championship.

Their next meet will be an individual meet where all of the swimmers and divers can put in a great effort. Now that the team is back in good health things are looking up for the Friars.

PC will get in the pool for their last meet of the season before the Big East Championship on Saturday, Feb. 6, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. for the New England Invitational. The meet is set to start at 11:00 a.m. This will be the last chance for some swimmers to make their Big East cuts.