Record-Setting Start To 2023 CAA Men's and Women's Swimming Championships
Rob Washburn
Day 1 Final Results Championship Central Day 1 Highlights Photo Gallery
HAMPTON, Va. (February 22, 2023) – It was a record-setting start to the 2023 CAA Swimming and Diving Championships as conference records fell in three of the four relays on Wednesday night at the Hampton Aquaplex.
In the men’s competition, defending champion UNCW is in first place after Day 1 with a score of 124 points after a win in the 800 free relay and a victory by freshman Ethan Badrian on the 1-meter board. Towson is in second with 108 points, followed by Delaware (98 points), Drexel (94 points), William & Mary (56 points) and Monmouth (52 points).
In the women’s competition, defending champion William & Mary has the Day 1 lead with 72 points after a win in the 200 medley relay. Delaware and UNCW are tied for second with 68 points, followed by Northeastern (60 points), Towson (58 points), Drexel (54 points), Monmouth (46 points) and Stony Brook (46 points).
Women’s 200 Yard Medley Relay
William & Mary got the championship off to a flying start, setting a new CAA all-time and meet record in the women’s 200 medley relay. The Tribe team of Kat Vanbourgondien, Ellie Scherer, Sophia Heilen and Katie Stevenson posted a time of 1:38.53, topping the mark of 1:39.26 set by Drexel in 2020. It was the third straight year that W&M won the event. UNCW placed second with a time of 1:39.62, and Towson was third in a time of 1:39.74.
Men’s 200 Yard Medley Relay
Delaware also turned in a record-setting performance in the men’s 200 medley relay. The Blue Hens’ team of Gavin Currie, Toni Sabev, Simeon Sabev and Matvei Namakonov set a new conference all-time and meet mark of 1:24.92, breaking the record of 1:25.53 set by William & Mary in 2020. It was Delaware’s first victory in the event since 2010. Towson finished second in a time of 1:25.17 and UNCW was third with a time of 1:25.69.
Men’s 1-Meter Dive
UNCW took the top two spots in the men’s 1-meter diving competition. Freshman Ethan Badrian earned the gold with a score of 343.15, which was the best performance at the championship since 2012. Seahawks’ sophomore Nic Newis claimed silver with a score of 309.50. Third place went to Towson’s Aidan Clark with a score of 301.45. It was the fourth straight year that a UNCW diver has captured the 1-meter competition.
Women’s 800 Yard Freestyle Relay
Delaware captured the women’s 800 free relay for the first time since 2004 as the team of Erin Shema, Anthi Lyra, Natalie Dobrzykowski and Mira Selling finished in 7:12.05. The time was the second-fastest in meet history and just off the record of 7:11.56. UNCW was second with a time of 7:15.17 and third place went to William & Mary with a time of 7:15.52.
Men’s 800 Yard Freestyle Relay
UNCW closed the night with another CAA all-time and meet record in the men’s 800 free relay as the team of Jacob Duracinsky, Henderson Louviere, Sam O’Brien and Kenneth Lowe posted a time of 6:23.97, topping the mark of 6:26.86 set by William & Mary in 2020. It was the second year in a row that the foursome captured the event. Finishing second with a time of 6:27.66 was Towson and tying for third were Delaware and Drexel with a time of 6:33.96.
Action resumes on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. with swimming trials. The finals of nine events will take place on Thursday evening starting at 6 p.m. All action from the CAA Swimming and Diving Championship can be seen on FloSwimming. For more information, visit CAASports.com/SD.
Men’s Team Scores (after Day 1)
- UNCW 124
- Towson 101
- Delaware 98
- Drexel 94
- William & Mary 56
- Monmouth 52
Women’s Team Scores (after Day 1)
1 William & Mary 72
T2 Delaware 68
T2 UNCW 68
4 Northeastern 60
5 Towson 58
6 Drexel 54
T7 Monmouth 46
T7 Stony Brook 46