RIT freshman Cory Spado swims to a 3rd place finish in the Men’s 100yard Butterfly against Nazareth, Saturday, February 4th, 2012.
Jonathan Foster

Freezefest may have been in full swing outside, but it was nice and warm in the Judson Pool on February 4 when RIT's swimming and diving teams took to the water against the Golden Flyers of Nazareth College. After a fierce meet that lasted almost three hours, RIT's men’s team claimed victory with a score of 194-95. The women also put on a good show, winning five swimming events and first place in both the one-meter and three-meter diving competitions. Unfortunately, Nazareth was able to take a wide lead early on, leading our ladies to defeat against their Golden counterparts 111-182.

Energy was running high as both teams practiced in the minutes leading up to the start of the competition. Following a short but emotional ceremony honoring the RIT team's senior swimmers, the meet took off with the 100-yard relay. The women swam first, with Nazareth taking the first victory of the day. The RIT men made up for it, however, taking first place during their turn at the relay. They quickly pulled ahead, outperforming Nazareth in most of the swimming competitions. In the bleachers, the RIT fans steadily grew more energized with each event. When team captain and fourth-year Physics major Kevin Christiansen took the stand for the 100-yard backstroke, the room practically exploded with excitement. Taking both first and second place in the three-meter and one-meter diving competitions cemented this lead, which eventually lead to victory with ten events won by the end of the day.

RIT’s Sarah Kelso enters the water for the 100 yard butterfly against Nazareth on Saturday, February 4th at the Judson Pool on RIT’s campus. Despite winning five individual events, the Lady Tigers fell to Nazareth 182-111.
Joshua Kuckens

Meanwhile, RIT's women were suffering after their slow start, and steadily fell farther behind Nazareth. Things began to look up, however, when first-year Engineering Exploration major Sam Husselstein seized first place in both of the diving events. This narrowed the gap in scores somewhat, but wasn't quite enough to take the lead. The Lady Tigers fought till the end, however, and saw some impressive performances throughout the day, including first-place victories by second-year Industrial Engineering major Katie Baldwin and first-year Science Exploration major Jill Sirkis in the 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard butterfly, respectively.

RIT’s Kevin Christiansen Cruises to victory in the 100-yard freestyle against visiting Nazareth College with a time of 48.26 seconds. RIT won 10 individual events and had a decisive 194-95 victory.
Joshua Kuckens

Despite the loss, women's team captain and fourth-year criminal justice major Sarah Kucsan expressed satisfaction with the day's outcome. “A lot of people hit their best times of the season,” she noted. “As a captain, I'm happy they did their best.” Head coach Mike Cahill expressed similar sentiments: “They all swam very well today, and I'm especially happy for our seniors.” As this was the last home meet of the season, it will also be the last time that the team's senior members will compete in home waters before they graduate. For them, this meet wasn't just the end of the season, it is also the end of the line for those who have been with the team the longest. Several of the captains will be amongst those leaving, including Kucsan.

Saturday’s meet was also the last meet for the tigers until the New York state championships, which the teams will be working hard to prepare for in their time off. Looming just three weeks away, the competing swimmers will have quite a lot of work to do to make sure they are at their best. For now though, they have good reason to celebrate after their excellent season-ending meet.