FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Enjoying the warmth of the Sunshine State, the Ursinus College swimming teams got in some competition during their winter break trip with a relaxed meet at the Snowbird Invitational.
Both Bear squads claimed first place in an event that also included Kutztown, Lycoming, and Southwestern.
The women won all but one individual event and all but one relay, with freshman Sophie Lear collecting a pair of victories. Lear won the 100 IM (1:03.66) and the 75 breast (52.72) for the Bears.
Senior Peyten Lyons, senior Clara Baker, junior Haley Sturla, and sophomore Sophie May took top prize in the 600 medley relay at 6:36.18, more than 12 seconds clear of the runner-up from Southwestern University.
Freshman Katie Schultz dominated the 300 free in a time of 3:10.37, with senior Kathryn Longenecker taking third (3:16. 11).
Baker captured a tight race in the 75 fly with a mark of 43.33, and May won the 75 free in 41.16 to touch the wall nearly a second ahead of the next finisher.
Lyons prevailed in the 75 back (45.17), and Lear edged out Sturla (53.31) by about a half-second in the 75 breast.
Rachael, freshman Stephanie Chell, sophomore Katherine Kurzinsky, and Schultz narrowly missed out on a first-place showing in the 100 free relay, landing less than a tenth of a second behind Southwestern at 48.84 seconds.
Freshman Liv Rachael was just .06 seconds off the pace in the 25-yard free (12.43).
For the men, junior Jake Menzer, freshman Ryan Carkhuff, sophomore Matthew Buccella, and senior Casey Lear all pulled down individual victories.
Menzer cruised to victory in the 300 free with a time of 2:46.28, and Carkhuff followed with a 10.81 in the 25 free.
Buccella was the biggest winner of the day, lapping the runner-up by more than 5.50 seconds in the 75 fly (32.56). Lear led the way in the 75 free (36.06), just ahead of Menzer in a tie for second at 36.41.
Sophomore Michael Prior was .02 seconds behind in the 75 back at 39.40, and rookie Matt Snyder was runner-up in the 75 breast.
The swimming teams return to Collegeville to host Susquehanna in a non-conference dual on Friday, January 18.