 "Photo: Ron Harper / Special to The South End")
In a matchup of powerhouses, the Warriors top-ranked women’s swimming and diving team easily handled the second-ranked Lakers, 189.5-110.5. On the men’s side, the top-ranked Lakers came close to giving up a huge lead, but the third-ranked Warriors’ rally came up short, 155-145.
The women were able to let go of the pomp and circumstance of the Senior Day presentations and get a dominating win.
“I talk highly of my seniors, but this group is exceptional,” said head coach Sean Peters. “The guys helped keep Wayne State on the map and the girls helped put Wayne State on the map.”
The actual meet was never in question for the women.
“Our top level athletes got it done today. They willed themselves to better swims,” said Peters. “It’s up to our coaching staff to prepare the next tier of athletes and raise their game because in order to beat a team like Grand Valley, it takes a total team effort.”
A total team effort is exactly what Peters got. The Warriors took first place in all 14 races of the day. Seniors Ashley St. Andrew and Elaina Hogle led the way for the Warriors as both finished with three solo first place finishes. In the finale, the two teamed up with freshman Ashley Corriveau and junior Sara Franklin to take first in the 4x100 freestyle relay.
The only events the women didn’t walk away with were the one meter and three meter diving events. Freshman Carly Sevald and junior Cassis Chetosky took second and third in the one meter, while they flipped their finishes in the three meter.
“A key event for us was the 200 freestyle because Ashley and Stephanie [Ekleberry] were asked to go in back-to-back events because we aren’t as deep in the 200 freestyle,” Peters said about perhaps his only concern for the day. “It was a very good performance by national level athletes.”
In the 1000 freestyle, St. Andrew and Ekleberry placed first and second, respectively. After a 15-minute break, St. Andrew grabbed another first place finish while Ekleberry placed third, 0.08 seconds behind second place and 0.03 ahead of fourth.
Men’s late charge falls short
The Warriors men’s team entered the second half of the event trailing GVSU by nearly 40 points. But they put a scare into the visiting Lakers as they quickly cut into the deficit by taking first in the first four events.
“A lot of that had to do with our leadership. A couple of our captains, they really wanted to do well. And they felt like they were going to give everything they had for the team as individuals, but, as a captain, you have to get the other guys going,” said Peters, who praised his team’s increased enthusiasm in the races during the rally.
Seniors Cauli Bedran and Justin Shields started the comeback effort by taking first and third, respectively, in the 100 freestyle. That was followed by another first and third finish by freshman Joaquin Abascal Gallegos and sophomore Jimmy Lee.
After taking first in the next two events, the Lakers put some more distance between the score by finishing first, second and fourth in the 100 butterfly. That put enough room late in the day for the Lakers to coast to the victory.
“We know that Grand Valley is kind of the bench mark and we knew that going into today’s meet,” said Peters. “Now, we just need everyone to do their part and make sure we can make it a close meet, just like today.”
Both the men and women will travel to Ypsilanti for a dual meet against Eastern Michigan on Jan. 22 as they continue to gear up for the conference tournament in February.
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