CMS Sweeps On Senior Day

On a picture-perfect day in Claremont, the CMS Stag and Athena swimming and diving teams sent their Seniors out in style with a pair of SCIAC victories over California Lutheran University at the CMS Axelrood Pool. The Stags won 178-40 and the Athenas won 158-62.

When the meet got underway, the star of the day was freshman Vincent Pai (Walnut). In the 200 breaststroke, Pai defeated the field by nearly 20 seconds, clocking in at 2:07.11, an NCAA B-cut. The result also places Pai third all time on CMS’ deep Top 10 list, behind former NCAA champions, Gary Simon and Nick Bagatelos.

A second NCAA consideration result came from Garrett Smith in three-meter diving. His six-dive score of 279.30 was a personal best. Smith also won on the one-meter board.

Other Stag winners included Austin Hallett (FR, Bainbridge Island, WA) in the 200 IM and 200 backstroke, Ian McGinnity (SO, Mesa, AZ) in the 1650 freestyle, Jeff McNerney (FR, Paradise Valley, AZ) in the 200 freestyle, John Sloat (SR, Lafayette) in the 50 freestyle, Brant Kersten (FR, Bellevue, WA) in the 200 butterfly, Ryan Kristensen (SO, Saugus) in the 100 freestyle and Vincent Schiavoni (FR, Malvern, PA) in the 500 freestyle. Completing a sweep on the days events were the relays of Nick Ostreim (SO, Phoenix, AZ), Pai, Hallett and Sloat in the 200 medley and Kristensen, McNerney, Ryan Toohey (SR, Rocklin) and Sloat in the 200 free relay.

Emma Jones (FR, Eugene, OR) won the sprints (50 and 100 freestyle) for the Athenas while Carliann Brashier (SO, Highlands Ranch, CO [pictured]) placed first in the distance double (1650 and 500 freestyle). Senior Jordan Stewart (Minnetonka, MN) topped the 200 freestyle field and Annie Perizzolo (SO, Aurora, CO) won the 200 IM. Caitrin O’Brien (JR, Potomac, MD) finished strongly to win the 200 backstroke and Elica Sharifnia (FR, Beaverton, OR) touched first in the 200 breaststroke. Katie Bilotti (FR, Orinda), Sharifnia, Katie Oi (JR, Bothell, WA) and Sara Caldwell (JR, Lafayette) won the 200 medley relay and Jones, Bilotti, Stewart and Danielle Peebles (SR, La Mesa) won the 200 free relay.

CMS will next take on Occidental College. Diving will take place Friday, January 23 at 2:30 p.m. at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center and swimming will be contested at 11:00 a.m. at Occidental.