Swimming & Diving Wraps up Patriot League Championships

Saturday, February 19

Annapolis, MD

All Day

Army West Point

Patriot League Championship Day 4

Swimming & Diving Wraps up Patriot League Championships

February 19, 2022 | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving

Results (PDF)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Army West Point swimming & diving team completed its showing at the 2021-22 Patriot League Championships on Saturday evening in Alumni Hall, with the men's side finishing second overall and the women placing third.

The Army Men's 740.50 points, which fell behind Navy's 874, were the most the team has scored since the 2018-19 season and bested third-place Bucknell by almost 200 (559.50). In the women's field, the Black Knights scored the most points they have since at least the 2015 season, finishing the meet with 570. Army checked in less than eight points behind second-place Bucknell (577.50), with Navy taking top honors (973.50).

To go along with Army's success in the team standings, the competition was also highlighted by Daniel Alaimo, who became the first Cadet to earn Patriot League Championship Diver of the Meet honors since Chris Nguyen did so in 2013. The Black Knights also received an additional superlative award from assistant coach Chris Waters, who was named Men's Diving Coach of the Year.

The Men's Meet
Army closed out its time at the Patriot League Championships in dominant fashion, turning in one of its most exciting finals sessions of the meet.

Over the course of the night, the Black Knights saw three new program records set, a meet record re-written and six different NCAA B Cuts earned.

The Cadets put their mark on the night immediately out of the gate, as Ian Tansill had one of the most impressive performances of the meet in the 1650 Free. His time of 14:57.60 not only earned him first place, but additionally shattered the previous program record by 10 seconds and registered as an NCAA B Cut. Tansill was joined on the podium by teammate Wes Tate, who also recorded an NCAA B Cut time when he finished third in 15:20.98. CJ Bernauer rounded out the scoring in the Mile, placing 10th overall.

Army continued to have success in the following event, as Sam Wesley picked up an additional medal for the team with his second-place swim in the 200 Back. Dwyer was one of four Black Knights to score in the race, joined by Alex Edwards (sixth), Jacob Powell (10th) and Bernauer (16th).

As if the early swims were not exciting enough, the Black Knights then claimed another event as Owen Harlow took home the 100 Free with a meet and program record time of 43.59. His NCAA B Cut time helped the team pick up an additional 20 points, with Will Rankin (10th), Tanner Falls (11th), Dwyer and Nick Isenhower (15th) also contributing.

Harlow was not the only plebe that had success in the championship meet, as Yoo followed up his performance with a program record of his own in the 200 Breast. The rookie touched the wall in 1:55.27 to best teammate Evan Zhang by 0.01 seconds. Both Yoo and Zhang, as well as fourth-place Cadet Bruce Bannister, finished with NCAA B cuts in the event.

Though the team missed the podium in the last individual race, the 200 Fly, the quartet of Rankin, Harlow, Powell and Isenhower helped Army finish the meet strong with a third-place performance in the 400 Free Relay.

The Women's Meet
The Black Knights finished strong on the last day of the Patriot League Championship, scoring in each of Saturday's seven events.

Army got a boost off the bat when a trio of Cadets placed in the 1650 Free. Tania Rodriguez led the way with a ninth-place finish, while both Mary Rotenberg and Erica Esterly came in 15th and 16th respectively to help the team collect 12 points.

In the following event, Clara Williams awarded the team its first top-eight finish of the evening when she touched the wall seventh in the 200 Back. Williams was one of three Black Knights to score in the race, joined by Mary Rotenberg (11th) and Maddie Clark (12th).

Over the next two events, the team picked up crucial points by earning 25 in the 100 Free and 27 in the 200 Breast. Sammie Edwards led the program in the 100 Free by earning a fourth-place finish, while the team was paced by Aurelie Migault's fifth-place effort in the 200 Breast.

In the final individual swimming event of the meet, Melinda Zhang posted a team-best fifth place finish when she recorded a time of 2:01.14 in the 200 Fly. Meghan Cole (sixth), Erica Esterly (eighth), Maggie Kroening (ninth) and Jasmine Coe (14th) rounded out the Black & Gold scoring in the event, as well.

The highlight of Saturday's last session came after the 200 Fly when Minh Donnell broke the plebe record on the 3M diving board with a score of 310.35. The rookie landed her second silver medal of the meet after finishing second on the 1M board, as well. Donnell was one of two Cadets to score team points on the 3M board, as Abigail Gibbs did so with her 11th-place performance.

After four days of action, Army closed things out in the 400 Free Relay by coming in fourth in an extremely close race. The team of Edwards, Zhang, Autumn Baumgartner and Cole touched the wall in 3:22.88, less than .17 seconds off of overtaking third-place Boston University for a podium spot.

Coach's Corner
"This was a great four days for both our men's and women's programs. Really proud of the way we attacked each session and got better as the meet went on. In four-day championship format meets, there is always a mix of emotions, excitement, and heart break. Our team handled it all, stayed focused and fought until the end. After the 2021 Patriot League Championship meet was canceled, this was the first championship meet for most of team. We learned a lot and are ready to take the next step towards our team goals next season, which starts next week. Big thank you and congrats to all our Firsties who gave so much to our program this year and over last four seasons. We couldn't have accomplished what we did this year without them and they will be missed." – Head Coach Brandt Nigro

Cadets' Corner
"Throughout the entire weekend I witnessed many amazing swims. I truly believe that this past weekend exemplified all of the hard work and focus that the women's team has put into training this past season. However, I think that the most remarkable and memorable part of this meet was how the women's team was able to come together as a family and support one another." – Meghan Cole

"Throughout my swim career this meet has been the most challenging yet so rewarding in a multitude of ways. I can confidently say that we left it in the pool. Everyone swam their best and that is uncontested. The amount I have learned from my peers at this meet is unbelievable. At times it felt like I had no idea what I was doing yet the team was there to answer any questions I had. We have put in so much to make this meet grand and we exceeded expectations. I am very excited for the next step in training." – Owen Harlow

Men's Event Winners – Patriot League Championship
3M Dive – Daniel Alaimo – 353.20
50 Free – Owen Harlow – 19.72
1M Dive – Daniel Alaimo – 342.80
1650 Free – Ian Tansill – 14:57.60
100 Free – Owen Harlow – 43.59
200 Breast – Evan Yoo – 1:55.27

Women's Event Winners – Patriot League Championship
200 IM – Meghan Cole – 2:00.14

Men's Team Standings
1. Navy - 874
2. Army - 740.50
3. Bucknell - 559.50
4. Loyola - 497.50
5. Boston University - 242.50
6. Lehigh - 201
7. Lafayette - 194
8. American - 144
9. Holy Cross - 118
10. Colgate - 80

Women's Team Standings
1. Navy - 973.50
2. Bucknell - 577.60
3. Army - 570
4. Boston University - 471
5. Lehigh - 258
6. Loyola - 207
7. American - 195
8. Colgate - 154
9. Holy Cross - 146
10. Lafayette - 71

What's Next
The Black Knights will have a few weeks off of racing before the continuation of the postseason. The NCAA Zone Diving Championships are set to begin on Monday, March 7 with the swimming championships scheduled to start almost three weeks later. Details regarding the meets will be released as they are finalized.

Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point Swimming & Diving, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_SwimDive and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.