STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan swim and dive teams found success on many levels over the weekend at the CSI Invite, including a handful of new program records, a national qualifier and several awards in partnership with the East Coast Conference.
The CSI Invite over the last few years has become a championship-style meet for the Redhawks. Although the ECC doesn't sponsor swimming and diving as a championship sport, the conference has awarded the winning ECC institution with a championship banner among other awards.
This year the Roberts women's team walked away with the title by outscoring CSI, 138.5-132.5. On the men's side it was the Dolphins who got the victory with a 157-114 edge over the Redhawks.
"I am so proud of this group of ladies who supported each other though the highs and lows of this conference meet," said head coach
Sara Smith. "They worked hard together to bring home another title and I think that shows as every lady contributed points in the meet. I am excited for the team to enjoy this moment and set their eyes ahead on the Metropolitan Conference in February where the guys are currently ranked third and the ladies are second."
Throughout the two day meet the Redhawks broke nine total program records, including one performance that earned an NCAA Division II national championship entry bid. Freshman
Sidney Simmons score of 394 in the one-meter dive won her the event and qualified her officially for the national meet in March.
Mya June set three new records with wins in two of the events. June won the 100-yard freestyle (53.45), 100-yard butterfly (59.52) and was second in the 200-yard butterfly (2:13.82). The junior was also on the winning 400-yard freestyle relay that took first place. June was joined by
Rennee Rozler,
Katelyn Rakiey, and
Brett VanBoden. The team's time of 3:49.02 was a new Roberts record.
Freshman
Miguel Ocana Martin set three records as well, including the 200-yard freestyle (1:44.57), 200-yard butterfly (2:03.56) and 200-yard individual medley (2:02.55). Ocana placed first in the freestyle race.
Will Rugaber's score of 223.55 was a new best in the 3-meter dive.
ECC AWARDS
Roberts will head to the Don Richards Invitational hosted by RIT on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 for their next meet.
