M. Swimming Remains Undefeated after Slaughtering Navy

One would think Navy would have a pretty good swim team.

Apparently, not good enough.

The Harvard men's swimming and diving team annihilated the United States Naval Academy 211-89 Saturday, continuing the men's undefeated season (3-0, 3-0 Ivy). Crimson swimmers won all 14 events (often placing first, second, and third) while the divers secured second on both the one- and three-meter boards.

"After a tough training trip, everyone stepped up and swam really well," sophomore Nathaniel Towery said.

The Crimson spent last week practicing in Sarasota, Fl. The week-long trip, a common feature among swim teams, generally includes two practices a day as well as some of the toughest training of the season.

While the meet against Navy was the men's first league meet since mid-November, the competition also marked the team's last home meet of the season. Accordingly, the nine members of the graduating class were recognized for their contributions.

"It's been a good four years," said Senior Dan Barnes, who took third in the 50 freestyle. "We've managed to win Easterns all four years we've been here, so hopefully this year will be an even better season....I think that this team definitely has the potential to be a Top-10, nationally-ranked team."

Among those acknowledged during the brief ceremony were double event-winners Michael Im and Will Oren. Following the senior recognition, Im won both the 100 and 200 backstroke against Navy. Oren secured both the 100 and 200 butterfly.

Im was recently ranked first in the national NCAA poll for the 200-yard backstroke. Oren, who set the school record for the 200-yard butterfly at the Texas Invitational last month, is currently ranked second in the country in the same poll.

The meet itself showcased the seniors' talent--of the 12 individual events, seniors won 7. In addition to Im and Oren's successes, co-captain Mike Groves took the 200 freestyle in 1:43.26. Co-captain Matt Fritsch won the 50 free in 21.37, while fellow sprinter Jamey Waters out-powered Navy senior Clint Cornell to win the 100 freestyle in 45.74.

Senior Greg Walker also demonstrated power on the diving boards, totaling 283.79 points on the one-meter and 317.03 on the three-meter. Unfortunately, Walker's scores settled for second-best to those of Navy freshman Thatcher Carr, who totaled 328.35 and 341.85, respectively.

The freshman class' contribution to the team win, however, was not to be discounted. Distance ace John Cole secured two wins for the Crimson, finishing first in both the mile (15:20.74) and the 500 free (4:32.05). Freshman Rassan Grant won the 200 breaststroke in 2:06.33. Sophomore Mike Gentilucci snuck in a win in the 100 breast, touching at 58.60.

The Crimson men took first through third place in both of the meet's relays. The team of Im, Grant, Senior Adam Shaw, and Barnes took the 200-yard medley relay in 1:32.67 while Oren, Sophomore Jan Cieslikiewicz, Sophomore Andrew McConnell, and Junior Michael Sabala won the 800 free relay with a final time of 6:59.77.

In addition to featuring true embarrassment for the Navy squad, Saturday's meet also marked the men's annual Ironman challenge.

According to tradition, the Ironman requires that one Harvard freshman race in every event of the meet, including every leg of each relay. The Ironman is also required to swim during both diving breaks, often butterfly for hundreds of yards at a time. This year's Ironman was Kemi George, who finished 4,200 yards of racing (approximately two and a half miles) in just under 48 minutes. After he completes the last event, the Ironman is carried off on a stretcher.

"Being chosen as the team's Ironman has become a great honor, and it was a great honor for me." George said. "It's not something I'd ever do again, but..."

The Ironman is traditionally selected by means of a team vote. Usually, the honors have gone to a member of the distance or individual medley training group, whose swimmers are usually thought to have more endurance. This year, however, the team chose a sprint backstroker.

Members of the team commented that their decision was swayed by George's enthusiasm for the challenge. According to teammates, George had admitted that although he was unsure if he could complete all 14 swimming events, he claimed he would die trying.

"It was difficult for me," George, originally from Trinidad, said. "Maybe if I hadn't been a sprinter...but I was able to see what I could do personally, and I was able to represent the sprinters. It was a great challenge, as painful as it was.

"While the Ironman was important, more important was how the team came together and came one step closer to achieving our goals for the season."

The Crimson, which looks to garner its sixth-straight Eastern Championship this March, faces its next competition away vs. Brown Jan. 27.