By Cooper Sutton
Sports Editor
Both the women’s and men’s swimming teams opened up their seasons well this past Friday in Baltimore against the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Even though both meets were non-scored, many Bison walked away with top finishes.
On the women’s side, the Orange and Blue earned seven first-place finishes in races. Both co-captains, Molly Goebel ’11 and Macey Keath ’11, won races this weekend. Keath won the 200-yard breaststroke with a final time of 2:29.02, .44 points in front of second place. Goebel won the 100- and 200-yard freestyles.
Kelly Pontecorvo ’14 added two wins to the Bison total in the first meet of her college career in the 500- and 1000-yard freestyle.
“I was pretty nervous for my first meet and think that my nervous energy added to my success at the meet. It was also a very exciting atmosphere to swim in. I am not used to all the cheering and team support on the deck, so having that definitely impacted my racing and my attitude,” Pontecorvo said.
The rest of the team’s wins came from Emily Wright ’14 (50-yard freestyle) and Lisa Bolle ’13 (diving).
The men’s team also won seven first-place finishes, led by Jonathan Podniesinski ’12 who won the 200-, 500- and 1000-yard freestyle events.
Christian Treat ’13 took first place in the 100-yard Individual Medley (IM) and teammate Mike Nicholson ’14 won the 200 and 400 IMs.
“I was a bit nervous going into the meet, knowing that it was my first time swimming at the college level, as well as my first time representing Bucknell in competition. My teammates, however, were very encouraging, as they have been all year, and I really think they are the reason that I was able to overcome my nerves and put up some decent times,” Nicholson said.
Nathaniel Frye ’12 claimed the other Bison victory, winning the 200-yard breaststroke. Diver David Magaro ’13 placed second in both the one-meter and three-meter competitions.
Both the men’s and women’s teams will be back in action Oct. 23 when they travel to Fairfax, Va. to take on George Mason University.
