Fairfax, Va. - The George Mason swimming and diving team hosted Army West Point and American University in a dual meet on Friday, January 22nd at the Jim McKay Natatorium. The Patriots women's team earned a 215-81 win over the Eagles, while the Mason men's team posted a 237-50 victory over American. Both the women's and men's team for Army earned wins over the Patriots and Eagles.
The Patriots celebrated senior day. Megan DeJong, Jackson Hannam, Allison Paquette, Shannon Slate, Matt Tynan, Natalie Zoldork, and Taylor Iobst were competing in their final home meet, and all were recognized during the meet's first break.
The Mason women finished the meet with five wins. Sophomore Amy Tansill was first in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.95) as the Patriots swept the podium, with Slate finishing second and junior Sarah Brallier third. Brallier won the 200-yard breaststroke (2:22.84), edging out teammate Alison Barahona by just under two seconds.
Junior Steff Maurer left the competition behind in the 200-yard freestyle, taking first with a time of 1:53.74, with sophomore Rachel Williams finishing fourth for the Patriots. George Mason sophomore Dorothy Reilly won the 200-yard butterfly (2:04.07), and finished second in the 200-yard backstroke. Junior Sydney Fisher took first place in the 50-yard freestyle (23.50), with freshman Marla Albanese fourth in the event.
Sophomore Erin Schulte was second in the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:34.68) with Megan DeJong finishing fourth. The women's 400-yard freestyle relay team of Fisher, Maurer, Williams, and Albanese finished second (3:30.92).
The Patriots men's team won three events. In the 400-yard IM George Mason swam their way to a sweep of the podium with sophomore Steven Craig in first (4:06.14), junior Brandon Nestor second, and junior Ryan Frayne finishing third. Senior Jackson Hannam won the 100-yard breaststroke (59.01).
The men's 400-yard freestyle relay team turned in a first and second place finish. Jesse Burnley, Zepher Begnell, Vadim Jacobsen, and Alec Morin combined for the win.
The Patriots had a big day in the deep end of the pool. Trevor Long won the men's 1-meter (273.40), and 3-meter dive (284.80), with teammate Paul Helfgott second in both events. Sophomore Kylie More won the women's 1-meter dive (222.30) and finished third in the 3-meter.
The Patriots are next in action at the Atlantic 10 Championships February 17-20.
