Results

CHESTER, Pa. – Widener swimming celebrates their 2022-2023 senior class during their last home dual meet of the season.
 
Prior to the first splash of the afternoon, Widener Athletics and Swimming celebrated three seniors; Zach Anderson, Teresa LaPointe, and Azaria Luckey for their accomplishments in the pool and classroom.
 
The three seniors have also seen countless hours in the pool, numerous season and personal best times, and who knows how many long bus rides to dual meets. This senior class is also Head Coach Mark Yankovich's first graduating class!
 
Anderson, a biology and psychology double major, trained as a backstroker. Academically, Anderson became members of numerous honors societies and was awarded the 2022 SURCA Biology Poster winner. Anderson presented at the American Society for Microbes National Convention in June of 2022. In the pool, he is a two-year team captain and a MAC Academic Honor Roll honoree. Upon graduation, Anderson plans on becoming a high school biology and chemistry teacher and plans on remaining active in the swimming community as a coach.
 
LaPointe, a nursing major, spent her four years as a distance and individual medley swimmer. During her time in the pool she came away with numerous MAC Championship finalist spots and personal best times. Post-graduation, LaPointe plans on working in the labor and delivery unit with aspirations of becoming a midwife or an ultrasound technician.
 
"These past four years swimming at Widener has given me unforgettable friendships and memories," LaPointe said. "Being part of this group has been so special and I wouldn't want to end my swimming career any other way. I am so thankful to have been apart of Widener swimming and grateful for this experience."
 
Luckey, also a nursing major, spent her time in the pool as a sprinter. In the classroom, Luckey was a three-time MAC Academic Honor Roll honoree and a three-time dean's list recipient. In the water, she has been a pivotal member of the women's team and has been a MAC finalist in the 50 and 100 freestyles at the MAC Championships. After graduation, Luckey plans on beginning her career as an ICU nurse.
 
"Widener swimming has impacted my life in some of the greatest ways possible," said Luckey. "Coming in as a first year, I was shy and kept to myself. Widener swimming has shown me the joy of expressing myself and becoming more energetic during my time in the pool. I have learned leadership skills and teamwork with a team I wouldn't trade for anything. They have been an awesome family."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED ON SENIOR DAY
 
WOMEN
 
The team of Sophia Sapnas, Caitlin Blaum, Mary Sanders, and Luckey got things rolling with a win in the 200-medley relay in 1:56.56.
 
Junior Sally Meyers continued the wins with a first in the 1000 yard free in a time of 11:27.56. Her time won by nearly 14 seconds.
 
After two events, the Pride were not done. Sophomore Lauren Kalsbeek added a third first place for the Pride in the 200 yard free. Kalsbeek's come from behind victory earned her a 2:01.87 with teammate Gabby DiGiovanni coming in at a 2:06.93.
 
In the 100 yard backstroke, Sophia Sapnas cashed in on a first place to win by over a second. Sapnas hit the wall in a 1:04.13 to add to the individual win count. Shea Rane followed close behind with a third place an a 1:07.27.
 
Coming off the medley relay, Blaum went on to take the 100 yard breaststroke in a time of 1:14.45. Her time was good enough for an out touch while teammate Anna Durboraw finished third in 1:15.29.
 
Meyers wasn't done and picked up her second individual title in the 200 yard butterfly. She hit in a 2:19.19.
 
Kalsbeek picked up a second place in the 100 yard free in a 57.66 to split the Knight's first and third.
 
Durboraw and Blaum found a first and second in the 200 yard breaststroke to add 13 points to the score. Durboraw hit in a 2:43.86 while Blaum finished in 2:48.55.
 
Meyer's finished her dominating performance with another victory in the 500 yard free. Her time was good enough for a three second victory in a 5:36.28.
 
Kalsbeek cashed in on another victory in the 400 yard individual medley in a 5:03.61.
 
The ladies fell short 131-129 after leading until the last event. Following the loss, the ladies move to 5-4 in dual meets and 3-2 in MAC record.
 
MEN
 
Patrick Rankin kicked things off for the men with a second place 10:45.80 finish in the 1000 yard free.
 
In the 200 yard free, sophomore Jason Mongiovi began his dominating day performance with a win. He hit the wall in a 1:48.65.
 
Patrick Rauch kept things going with a second place in the 100 yard backstroke to earn a 57.31.
 
Mongiovi's second win came a few events later in the 200 yard butterfly where he won by nearly six seconds. His time went on to post a 2:02.63.
 
Sophomore Joshua Cunningham picked up a second in the 100 yard free. Cunningham's time of 51.65 just missed a first place. Teammate Isaiah Moreef finished close behind with a 52.85.
 
Zach Anderson cashed in on a second in the 200 yard backstroke with a 2:11.32 to hit his dual meet season best.
 
Mongiovi finished his three peat with a 500 yard free victory. His 5:05.74 was good enough to earn him a 10 second victory over Daniel Ross of Arcadia.
 
Rankin finished things up for the Pride with a victory in the 400 yard individual medley in a 4:33.52 to win by nearly seven seconds.
 
In the last event, the team of Cunningham (23.92), Moreef (22.46), Rauch (23.92), and Mongiovi (22.11) split the relay to finish second in a 1:32.41.
 
The men fell short 176-79. Following the loss, the men move to 6-4 in dual meets and finish with a 3-2 MAC record.
 
UP NEXT
Widener returns to the pool one last time for the dual meet season on Saturday, January 21. The team will head to Ramapo for a 2 p.m. first splash.