Men’s swimming and diving opens season against UMBC
October 9, 2014
The men’s swimming and diving team had a big weekend in its first time in the pool this season on Oct. 5, competing against UMBC in an unscored event at Kinney Natatorium. Chris Devlin ’18 led the Bison in the new season with victories in all three of his individual races. He was victorious in the 100-yard backstroke (50.96), 200-yard backstroke (1:49.08), and 200-yard freestyle (1:43.14). Devlin set top-10 times for the program in both backstroke races, including the fifth-best time in Bison history for the 200-yard backstroke.
Seven first-years are on the new roster as they look to bring in a new energy to the team, while just five seniors lead the team. Still, the entire squad trained hard for its first meet, with 22 total events on the day.
“It was great to see our team collectively come together as one,” Kyle Bloom ’18 said, who finished in fifth place out of 13 swimmers in the 100-yard freestyle.
The Orange and Blue totaled nine victories on the day, as Ben Seketa ’15 and Triston Loux ’18 won multiple races as well. Seketa was victorious in the 100-yard breaststroke (57.80) and 200-yard breaststroke (2:06.60), while Loux’s first collegiate performance ended with victories in the 50-yard butterfly (23.14) and 100-yard butterfly (51.17).
“I had some of my best in-season times and was very excited to do that well. I think I surprised the coaches and my team and certainly myself. However, I know that I can definitely get better and give my team by best,” said Loux.
Louis Behnen ’17 won the 400 individual medley and Colin Lynch ’18 won the 50-yard backstroke. Overall, the Bison placed a swimmer or diver in first or second place in every event.
“The atmosphere was fantastic and thrilling, but it was just a starting point. I have very high expectations for the reminder of our season,” Bloom said.
With a little experience under the belt in the 2014-2015 year, the first scored event of the season will be on Oct. 18 at Kinney Natatorium when the Orange and Blue host Boston University and George Washington at 1 p.m.
