Panthers suffer heartbreak in the water

Author: Zamir Ahmed

The Middlebury men's swimming and diving team suffered two tough losses on the road in the past two weeks. The losses dropped the Panthers to 3-3 on the season, who had won three straight meets after an opening meet loss to Springfield College.

On Jan. 15, the team traveled to Hamilton College to take on the Continentals. Although putting up a valiant effort, the Panthers were overmatched, falling 150-91. The team was led by Robert Collier '07 and first-year Peter Bell, who combined to win three events, the only ones won by the team.

Collier posted victories in the 200m individual medley with a time of 2:00.66 and in the 200m butterfly with a time of 2:00.13. Bell held off a late rally by Hamilton's Steve Morris to win the 200m breaststroke in a time of 2:15.20.

The team also had other notable performances at the meet, especially by the relay teams. The 400m medley relay team of Jason Korsmeyer '05, Tim Lux '07, Collier and David Hawkins '05 finished second in a time of 3:34.82. The 400m freestyle relay team of Hawkins, Kersmeyer, Robbie Burton '08 and Jake Pepper '08 came second in a time of 3:19.13. Other second-place finishes were Rob Hillas '06 in the 1,000m freestyle, Burton in the 200m freestyle and Michael Young '05 in 1m and 3m diving.

On Jan. 22, the Panthers were at Union College. The Panthers swam strong against the Dutchmen but ultimately suffered a heartbreaking loss, 149-148. The Panthers were again led by Collier and Bell, who both posted dual wins, as did Young on the diving board.

Collier took the 100m butterfly in a time of 53.71 and the 400m IM in 4:16.70, as well as finishing second in the 50y butterfly. Bell won the 50m breaststroke in 28:61 and the 100m breaststroke in 1:02.56 while Young added victories in the 1m and 3m diving events.

The Panthers also got a first-place finish from their 200m medley relay team of Evan Williams '08, Alex Demas '06, Chris Abbott '08 and Pepper. Korsmeyer and junior Jaime Lamere also helped the Panthers with two individual second-place finishes apiece. Korsmeyer came second in the 50m backstroke in 25.46 and second the 50m freestyle in 22.82. Lamere took second in the 200m freestyle in 1:49.30 and the 500m freestyle in 5:00.07.

With only three meets remaining before the postseason, the team is looking to get back on the winning track. The Panthers will have a chance to do just that on January 29 when they host Williams at home. The team then will take on Dartmouth at the Natatorium on February 2.