Each week, Sports and Data editors at The Daily Princetonian analyze recent athletic competitions to provide analysis and insight on the happenings of Princeton athletics and individual players across the 38 intercollegiate teams at Princeton. Whether they are record-breaking or day-to-day, statistics deliver information in concise ways and help inform fans who might have missed the action. Read our past By the Numbers coverage here.
Princeton Tigers March 8–March 20
Sixty-eight games and matches were played across 23 sports and 10 U.S. states over the past two weeks. Of the 43 games with a single winner, the Tigers won 46.5 percent of all games and 57 percent of games within the Ivy League. The Daily Princetonian counted multiple-day meets and tournaments individually for each day of the competition. Competitions with more than one event or opponent, such as swimming & diving, golf, and tennis, are not included in our win percentage analysis. Only 12 games were played at home.
Chairwoman of the Boards
Senior forward Ellie Mitchell just stamped her place in Princeton basketball history, recording her 1100th rebound in the Ivy League Tournament in their win against Penn to set the new record across Princeton men’s and women’s basketball history. She surpassed Maggie Benchich ’78, formerly Margaret Meier, whose record of 1,099 stood for over 40 years.
(No) Splash Warning
First-year diver Aidan Wang has been king of the diving board this season, setting a new school record with a score of 370.80 in the one-meter at the NCAA Zone A Diving Championships last Tuesday.
“It gave me a great sense of accomplishment as I was leaving my legacy in Princeton history,” Wang told the ‘Prince.’ “I really don’t think about the record during the competition. I just try to do my best and see what will come of it.”
Best in Pool
Last Thursday, March 14, junior utility Kayla Yelensky was nominated to the Cutino Award Watchlist, a media-chosen breakdown of the top 22 women’s water polo players in the country. Yelensky’s hat trick against San Jose State drove the Tigers to a 9–7 victory on March 9.
Lax Takes Down Jax
No. 19 women’s lacrosse had four players with hat tricks in their 16–11 win against the Jacksonville University Dolphins this past Saturday. Senior midfielder Kari Buonanno, junior attacker Nina Montes, and sophomore attackers Jami MacDonald and Haven Dora all beat the Dolphins’ goalie three times, as the Tigers dominated the second and third quarter in their fourth victory of the year.
“Our attack is really dynamic and has so many talented players who are threats from everywhere on the field,” Head Coach Jenn Cook wrote in an email to the ‘Prince.’ “They share the ball incredibly well which makes us very difficult to scout and causes opposing defenses headaches because we have such a balanced attacking unit.”
“Our defense has also been really strong this year, which is obviously critical for winning games,” Buonanno wrote in an email to the ‘Prince.’ “We always say that it’s important to follow a good with a good, and so when our defense makes a save, it’s important that offense capitalizes as well — making it a full team effort.”
Buonanno earned the weekly defensive player of the week award in the Ivy League after picking up eight ground balls over the two women’s lacrosse games played this week. At Jacksonville, Buonanno also scored on each of her three shots.
“The whole team was so happy for Kari’s Ivy League defensive player of the week recognition. Kari’s fierce play on both sides of the field is a spark for everyone,” Cook wrote. “She works extremely hard and is a true competitor, so her individual recognition this week reflects that.”
Goals Galore
No. 14 men’s lacrosse netted nine straight goals after falling behind 8–2 in their Ivy League home opener against No. 12 Cornell Big Red on Sunday. Unfortunately, the Tigers dropped to a last-second goal to lose 15–14 as they look forward to a difficult schedule ahead.
Tiger Takes on the Tour
Former men’s golfer Evan Harmeling ’12 made his first — and a Princeton Tiger’s first — PGA Tour start two weekends ago at the Puerto Rico Open in Río Grande, Puerto Rico. He finished tied for 10th, shooting 15 under par and qualifying for the Valspar Open the following week.
Super Slugger
Sophomore second-baseman Jake Koonin mashed two home runs and knocked in six runners in a 15–11 Tigers against Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) this past weekend. This win was the fourth game in a four-game series against the VCU Rams this past weekend — their only win of the season. Koonin’s eighth-inning solo shot broke an 11–11 tie and put the Tigers ahead for good.
Dial +33 to reach Nazlymov
Épéeists Tristan Szapary and Jessica Lin and sabrist Ryan Jenkins won their respective NCAA regional fencing titles. Alongside these three regional title holders, eight additional fencers were selected for the NCAA fencing championships, which began Thursday, March 21 and will conclude on Sunday, March 24. At regionals, Tatiana Nazlymov finished third place in women’s saber. Nazlymov has secured a position on the U.S. fencing team for her first Olympic games and will compete in both individual and team events for women’s saber.
All in all, it was a mixed bag for Tiger athletics this week, especially while away. Winter sports are in the midst of their respective postseasons, while spring sports continue non-conference play. Check back next week to stay updated on all things Princeton athletics, by the numbers.
Andrew Bosworth is head Data editor and Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Harrison Blank is an assistant Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send all corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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