The men’s and women’s Georgetown swimming and diving teams both fell to George Washington last Saturday at the Smith Center Pool in Washington, D.C., by scores of 141-113 and 132-129, respectively.
This was the second meet of the season for the Hoyas, who enjoyed a strong showing in their first meet of the year at James Madison, where 15 different swimmers and divers placed in the top three of 16 events.
But Georgetown could not carry its momentum into Saturday’s meet, as the Colonials dominated their visitors in a Senior Day sweep. The George Washington men were led by junior Phillip Graeter, who helped crush the Hoyas in a decisive 28-point victory. The Blue and Gray women fared slightly better, but ultimately lost out when the Colonials placed first and third in the final relay event.
The GWU men notched ten first-place finishes against only five for the Blue and Gray. Graeter was the star of the show, winning the 200-yard butterfly, 200-yard backstroke, 400-yard medley relay and 400-yard individual medley. He finished the season undefeated in the Smith Center Pool.
The Georgetown women’s team earned seven first-place finishes to George Washington’s eight, falling by only three points. The Blue and Gray started strong — junior Sarah Chiles and freshman Emily Hall placed second and third, respectively, in the 1000-yard freestyle — but were overtaken down the stretch by their crosstown rivals.
There were some positives for the men’s team, as junior Paul Quincy continued to show why he is regarded as one of the best swimmers in program history. He earned two first-place finishes: one in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:41.18 and one in the 1000-yard freestyle with a 9:48.57.
Sophomore Lauren Opatrny was impressive for the women, notching a first-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly as well as two second-place finishes in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke. Junior Amy Ballanfant was a double winner, besting Opartny in the 50-yard freestyle and winning the 100-yard freestyle.
The Hoyas will now have ample time to prepare for their next meet, a visit to Maryland on Saturday, Feb. 4.
