Men’s track and field, swimming and diving avenge last season’s losses at Navy

Early tests for track and field yield success

Last season, the Tigers travelled to Annapolis, Md. to face a strong Navy squad. The hosts pulled off a 94-87 win in a meet where the teams fought neck-and-neck. This year, Princeton reversed its 2014 result with a 94-86 victory over the Midshipmen.

Scoring began in the throwers circle, as Princeton saw its opponents take the first two spots in the weight throw before rebutting with a 1-2 finish in the shot put.

Junior John Hill produced his best ever 60-meter effort with a final time of 6.85 (passing his previous personal record of 6.88 seconds and just missing the Princeton indoor record of 6.84 seconds set by classmate Dré Nelson). The Ivy League’s 100-meter outdoor champion last spring, Hill continues to earn his team vital points in sprints.

A standout rookie performance from freshman Carrington Akosa yielded 8 points for Princeton. The first-year sprinter finished .05 seconds behind Hill in the 60 meter and took first in the 200 meters three events later.

The teams kept the scores close throughout, just as the programs have kept the series close. Princeton and Navy have split their 44 meetings with 22 wins each.

The Tigers will compete at the Penn State Relays this Saturday.

Women’s track and field will take to Jadwin Gymnasium this upcoming Friday for an early season meeting with St. John’s University, Saint Joseph’s University and Temple University. In last year’s iteration of this early season meet, the Tigers dominated the visitors. Remarkably, Princeton runners took the first five places in the mile run and the first four in the 500 meters.

Tigers to watch include junior thrower Julia Ratcliffe, who began the indoor season with a remarkable record-setting performance in the weight throw. Princeton played host to a number of local opponents in a New Year’s Invitational which saw the New Zealand native outthrow all competition by over 3.5 meters. Her mark of 19.95 meters awards her the school record and the second-best mark in Ivy League history.

Maher, D’Alessandro double up on wins against rival Navy

Princeton swimmers improved to 6-1 with a decisive final score 171-129 over Navy, avenging a 2014 loss with their first meet of 2015. The Midshipmen, Patriot League champions in 2013-14, topped Princeton by a score of 157-143 last year in Annapolis, Md.

Senior Connor Maher, an all-Ivy first-teamer last season for his role in the 200 medley relay, has remained a valuable contributor in his final season. His time of 49.76 seconds was best in the 100-yard backstroke and his 1:49.04 mark topped the 200-yard race.

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Also dominating his stroke, junior Teo D’Alessandro took first in the 100 and 200 freestyle finals.

Seniors Michael Strand, Harrison Wagner and D’Alessandro joined Maher in the winning 200 medley relay. Their time of 1:28.0 topped Navy’s ‘A’ team time of 1:31.06.

Princeton likewise achieved success over longer distance, with sophomore Sam Smiddy taking first in the 1,000 freestyle, while junior Zach Ridout took third. Smiddy earned second place in the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 4:32.19.

The Orange and Black swimmers suffered their lone loss of the season in their first official meet. Back in November, a powerful Ohio State team (currently ranked ninth in the Collegiate Swimming Coaches Association of America poll) played host to Princeton and Denison University, and topped both visiting teams with relative ease.

Since then, the Tigers have experienced success as they anticipated in the preseason. However, this Friday will provide a test tantamount to that posed by the Buckeyes. N.C. State will travel to DeNunzio Pool to face the Princeton men and women. The Wolfpack men are currently ranked 17thin the CSCAA poll.