This past weekend, Case Western Reserve University’s No. 13-ranked men’s and No. 17-ranked women’s swimming and diving teams defeated SUNY Geneseo in their first meet of the spring semester. Hosted by the Spartans in Veale Natatorium on Saturday, Jan. 18, the men’s team won 191-109 and the women’s team won 215-85 over the Knights’ No. 18-ranked men’s team and No. 23-ranked women’s team. Overall both teams improved 3-1 in dual meets. 

As the first meet after a relatively long break for the team, the Spartans did not let it affect their performance. The teams won a total of 25 out of the 32 events. 

“It’s always a little nerve wracking after winter break to return to a normal meet schedule. I traveled a lot in December, so it was sometimes difficult to find a pool to train in. Coming in on Saturday I didn’t know what my times would be, however I had confidence in myself and stayed as relaxed as possible. I swim my best when I’m loose and smiling! After throwing down a good split in the first medley relay I was so pumped for the rest of the meet. So no, luckily there weren’t any significant setbacks, rather some good nerves in the beginning that fueled a good meet,” third-year Claire Kozma commented. 

Kozma was one of the women’s teams top scores alongside teammate fourth-year Gabriella Chambers. Both swimmers contributed four wins with two individual races and two relays. Both Spartans were on the victorious 200-yard freestyle relay (1:37.29) with fourth-year teammates Simone Vale and Kate Menzer and the 200-yard medley relay (1:47.95) with fourth-year teammates Kelly Vann and Vale. In individual races, Chambers touched the wall first in the 50-yard (23.91) and 100-yard freestyle (52.79), and Kozma took first in the 100-yard (57.83) and 200-yard butterfly (2:08.13).

“I’m really excited that I could clutch those wins this past weekend—I was looking forward to swimming both the 100 and 200 Fly coming in. I’ve been pushing my Fly training in practice a lot. I had full confidence in our relays, too; the 4 of us together make an incredible team and it is a pleasure to swim with those women every time!” Kozma said.

Other top finishers for the women’s team included fourth-year Amelia Myhrvold in the backstroke events finishing in 59.50 for the 100-yard race and 2:08.75 in the 200-yard race, second-year Maggie Rose Rook in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:56.82 and second-year Ava Ellis in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:16.87. Menzer also won the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:14.87.

The women’s team also swept the diving events with fourth-year Abigail Wilkov taking the 1-meter dive with 298.73 points and fourth-year Jocelyn Schechter taking the 3-meter dive with 276.68 points. 

“My most memorable moment for me was touching the wall of my 200 fly: I hadn’t swum the event in almost 10 months at NCAA, and so feeling strong and loose during the race this weekend (and completing it under 2:10.00) felt amazing. Definitely a confidence boost,” Kozma said.

On the men’s team, fourth-year Peter Meng and third-years William Froass and Mason Bencurik led the team with each contributing three victories. Meng took first in three different individual events—1000-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley. His distance race was completed in 9:51.17, and the medley race was finished in 1:58.31. He also achieved a personal best in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:05.87. 

Froass and Bencurik were on the winning 200-yard medley relay alongside third-year teammates Emil LaSida and first-year Edgar Rutkauskas. The team finished 1:32.05 for the first-place win. Froass swept the backstroke events with a 51.96 100-yard time and a 1:55.81 200-yard time, and Bencurik swept the freestyle events with a 46.42 100-yard time and a 1:44.32 200-yard time. LaSida also contributed to the Spartan’s victory by adding the 50-yard freestyle win (20.90). First-year Edward Steward swept the butterfly events with a 51.77 100-yard time and a 1:57.00 200-yard time. Fourth-year Stephan Hogeman also notched a victory in the 500-yard freestyle (4:50.96) for CWRU’s freestyle sweep.

In preparation for the meet and the rest of the season, the teams had traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida, for training over winter break. 

“The training was hard—mainly from having so many doubles—but ultimately I think the team got closer over the trip. There’s opportunities to swim with new people at practice and talk to everybody. In addition, the soreness and challenge of the trip is a bonding experience for all of us. This closeness always seems to help us perform better for the rest of the season. We’re always tired coming back to Cleveland afterwards, but I’m confident in our camaraderie to push us to the end. We’re ready to roll for the rest of the season,” Kozma said. 

The Spartans will continue to host their next two dual meets in Veale Natatorium before the UAA Championships and the NCAA Championships. 

“I really hope to make it in the A final (top 8) at NCAA in the 100 fly—that would be incredible! Coming in last semester, I never thought I’d break 55 seconds in the event, but I did and clutched a pretty set spot going into NCAA this year. I also would like to break the school record in the 200 fly (which is currently a 2:03.04 I believe) and make it back to NCAA for it. I also have a lot of confidence in the women’s team to make 5th place at UAAs (or 4th even!),” Kozma commented regarding her future goals for the rest of the season. 

This coming weekend, the teams will be facing off against Oberlin College on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 1 p.m., when they will also celebrate their seniors with Senior Day festivities. The following weekend, the Spartans will be challenging Kenyon College’s No. 8-ranked men’s team and No. 2-ranked women’s team.