The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams have had two busy weekends in a row.
Both teams competed against Division I Canisius College in a virtual meet due to weather constraints on Jan. 10. Despite the obstacles, the men’s squad secured a 104-101 win over the Griffins.
The men had a total of 17 PSAC qualifying times, with Logan Bissel taking both the 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard freestyle, Adam Chrzanowski with the 200-yard IM and 500-yard freestyle, and Noah Donovan with the 200-yard IM and 100-yard butterfly.
Senior Denys Fedorchenko took the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke, and finally Drew Wolter with both the 1,650-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle.
The women’s team didn’t fare as well, losing its virtual matchup 110-95, but the Knights did come out with qualifying times in both the 100-yard butterfly and 500-yard freestyle by Michelle Franzen.
Both the men’s and women’s teams, however, celebrated their Senior Nights in the meet against Canisuis. The senior women were led by Amanda Knapp taking a qualifying time in the 200-yard IM.
Sophomore Samantha Favret said the senior has always been able to swim well and show her dedication to the sport.
“On Senior Night she took two first places in individual events and helped the women’s team battle against Canisius,” she said. “Her talent is impressive and she plays a large role as a member of this team.”
Favret said Knapp isn’t the only senior who is important for the cohesion of the women’s team.
“The seniors are hard-working members of the team and have motivated many of the new swimmers and returning athletes,” Favret said. “They relay a great deal of information between the coaches and the team and are wonderful mediators and supporters.”
Although both the men’s and women’s teams lost this past weekend to Cleveland State — the men lost 176-108 and the women fell 159-117 — each put up even more impressive qualifying times than the previous week, making the losses a little easier.
The men took the following notable times: Chrzanowski (200-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly), Donovan (200-yard butterfly, 100-yard butterfly and 400-yard IM), Mike Lawrence (1,000-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, 400-yard IM), Michael Weiser (100-yard backstroke, 50-yard freestyle, lead in 200-yard freestyle relay) and Wolter (1000-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, lead in 200-yard freestyle relay).
The women brought in some major qualifying times of their own: Franzen (200-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly), Shanen Lazenby (200-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle), Emily Nottingham (50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, lead in 200-yard freestyle relay) and finally, Madeline Summers (100-yard backstroke, 200-yard backstroke, 400-yard IM, lead in 200-yard freestyle relay).
The Gannon Knights will be taking a small break before traveling to Indiana, Pa., for a two-day meet, the Crimson Hawk Dual, on Jan. 30-31, against host IUP and Bloomsburg.
EMMA SCIULLO
