The Elizabethtown College men’s swim team defeated FDU-Florham University on Saturday, Nov. 15, 96-77. This win was the Blue Jays’ first dual win of the season.
Etown is now 1-2 going into its next meet against Drew University on Friday, Nov. 21.
Before the meet, senior Frank Capria was hopeful that the team would perform well. “The team looks forward to having a chance to get our first win of the season,” he said. “I personally look forward to attempting to earn my eighth career hat trick.” Capria did just that, as he brought in three wins, while first-year David Foery achieved two.
The 200-meter medley relay proved to be a tight race, one in which FDU-Florham would take from the Blue Jays at the last second. Etown was not discouraged by this defeat; they won the next six events of the meet.
Capria delivered on Saturday, showing his maturity and experience as a swimmer. He came out with the first win in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 11:01.80. He then won the 200 individual medley in 2:15.10. This time was a new season best for Capria. The lone-senior went on to win the 500 free in 5:27.50.
“Kieran Koehler and David Foery will be key swimmers this meet with their talents in both individual and relay events,” Capria said. Foery came out with wins in both the 200 free and the 100 free. Foery posted a 1:57.20 in the 200, beating FDU’s Connor Zero by 1.2 seconds. He also set a career best time in the 100 with a time of 51.10. This time would put him five seconds over the second-place swimmer in the event.
Sophomores Kieran Koehler and Ramon Rios had stand-out performances for the Blue Jays. Koehler won the 50 free with a 24.00. He shaved two-tenths of a second off his time in the event to pull off the win. Rios earned points for the Blue Jays in the 100 butterfly. He was the only swimmer to break 1:00 with a time of 59.70.
The Blue Jays will look for their next win when they return to action at home in the Alumni Pool on Friday, Nov. 21 against Drew University at 6:30 p.m. The meet will be the second Landmark Conference meet in the program’s history. The team will continue its season in non-conference action against Lebanon Valley College on Tuesday, Nov. 25 in Annville, Pa.
