The Marlin swim team looks to expand their team, establish themselves as a competitive force in the ODAC and cover ground on the recruiting trail on their second season.
The men’s swim team lost to Randolph College with a score of 125-54 on Oct. 20 at the VWU natatorium. Despite the loss, two freshmen put their names in the new record books; David Mosley-Heath in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:17.85 and Tyler Strong in the 100-yard backstroke with 1:00.34.
Strong also snatched the team’s only first place finish as he won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 24.74. Max Currens placed second in the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 13:13.69 during the distance events. Woolf also contributed a couple points as his time of 1:15.33 in the 100-yard breaststroke garnered a second-place finish.
The women came out victorious with a score 101-79. Junior Amanda Waller was the only Marlin to have two wins at the event clocking in at 2:34.31 in the 200-yard freestyle. She also set a time of 1:28.53 in the 100-yard breaststroke. December graduate Morgan Lucas won the 50-yard freestyle, clocking in at 33:07. Freshman Sarah Conley recorded her first individual collegiate victory in the 100-yard backstroke with a time 1:25.57 and Hayley Heath led the pack in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:49.08.
Mosley-Heath found his niche in the program and is already planning the future of the team. “It feels good to build up a program and start a culture. It’s also a good thing because we are not losing any swimmers this year so we will be even better next year,” Mosley-Heath said.
Despite starting off with a couple losses, the coaching staff and the men’s swimmers have a vision about the remainder of the season and what they need to focus on.
“The biggest challenge is recruiting and getting our name out there. For so many years, swimmers never even looked at Virginia Wesleyan because it wasn’t an option for them to continue. So that’s been a challenge, getting the high schools and club swimmers that are in this area to continue here for the next four years,” head coach Mike Ginder said.
The women’s swim team’s most recent victory was a win at home against Sweet Briar with a score of 111-90 on Nov. 11. Sophomore Taylor Morich enhanced her old school record with a time of 14:24.75 in the 1000-yard freestyle while Heath and sophomore Miah Kurtz both placed first in 100-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke respectively.
“So far I think we are starting the season off very strong. We prepared by trying to keep a mindset and an atmosphere of positive and high energy and knowing that it all starts with you and what you can do for your team,” Lucas said.
The Marlins will make their next splash Dec. 1 at Washington and Lee.
Terry Boasiako
taboasiako@vwu.edu
