WORCESTER -- The Engineers of the WPI Men's Swimming and Diving Team (6-7) put together a strong team performance to defeat NEWMAC rivals, Wheaton. The host Engineers claimed victory 140.5-136.5.
Much like the women's team, the men's team got the meet off to a hot start, as they went 1-3 in the 200 Medley Relay. The team of
Angad Ahluwalia (Attleboro, MA),
Jack Duryea (Sag Harbor, NY),
Christopher Smith (Northbridge, MA) and
Nolan Schlessman (Sudbury, MA) took the win in 1:35.63, with the B relay team taking 3rd in 1:38.33, less than .2 behind Wheaton's A relay.
The Engineers kept things rolling into the first individual event as senior
Aidan Greenfield (Northport, NY) claimed the win in the 1000 free. His time of 10:00.45 was not only the fastest result by over 10 seconds, but also erased his old personal best set back in 2020. The 1000 wasn't Greenfield's only win on the day as the senior also tasted victory in the 200 back. In fact, like in the 1000, he erased his old personal best as his result of 1:57.25 now stands as the fastest time he has ever been.
Greenfield wasn't alone in raking in multiple wins as Smith, a junior and
Sean Tesoro (Reading, MA), a sophomore, also posted marks worthy of the top of the podium. Smith posted times that would have won each event had the 100 Fly and 200 IM not been exhibitioned. In the 100 back, Smith's 53.38 led WPI to a 1-3 finish and in the 100 fly his time of 51.79 would have led out a 1-2-3 finish for the Engineers. In the 200 IM, his time of 1:57.89 was the only time to clear the 2 minute barrier.
Tesoro, who also contested the 100 fly, tied for first in the 50 free as he and Wheaton junior Brian Hixson, hit the wall in and equal time of 21.79. The WPI sophomore would however claim solo top honors in the very next event, as his 47.21 cleared the 100 free field by over 1.5 seconds.
After an 11th place showing in the 200 free (1:52.59) senior
Eli Budde (Sykeville, MD) attacked the 200 breaststroke, leading from start to finish, claiming the win in 2:15.63. Also claiming victory was sophomore
Patrick Tirch (Poughkeepsie, NY). Tirch was the only swimmer out in under 59.00 and by posting the fastest two 50 splits, the sophomore handedly won the 200 fly, recording a result of 2:04.18.
Adding valuable points to the team were divers,
Tom Fitzgerald (East Longmeadow, MA) and
Val Corrente (East Setauket, NY) who went 1-2 on both boards.
WPI will end the week with a home and away as the team travels to Roger Williams this Friday (1/24) for the start of the Menck Invite and will then host RWU on Saturday, during which the team will recognize the Seniors. Friday's meet starts at 4pm and Saturday's action kicks off at 1pm.
Results
