Thursday, by the numbers

0.07

The amount by which Kaley McIntyre missed breaking the most daunting record in Division III history, Kendra Stern’s 200 Free mark of 1:44.82.

Ms. McIntyre’s time of 1:44.88 was so close, and Ms. Stern’s record is so clearly the strongest record on the books (by SRS), we are left considering the very strong probability that yesterday we all witnessed the second greatest swim—either gender, any event—in the history of Division III.

4:11.23

The new record in women’s 400 I.M., now owned by Sophia Verkleeren.

The record (4:13.14) used to belong to the Williams great Caroline Wilson, and she set that record a while back—2012 Nationals.

As a sophomore, Sophia Verkleeren won the 200 I.M., came in third in 400 I.M., and then won women’s 200 Back. That earned her CSCAA Swimmer of the Year honors. This season she’s already national champion in 200 I.M. and 400 I.M., with an event left to go—200 Back. Of course, the top seed in 200 Back and current national champion in that event is Kate Augustyn, and she seems to have some interest in not just winning the event again, but owning the record.

Someone Racing Right Next To Me

So, that should be a fun event to watch.

46.46, 45.97

At TPSC in November 2021, Kenyon’s David Fitch set what used to be the men’s 100 Fly record at 46.46. Do yourself a favor and check out our appreciation of David Fitch from last season. Yeah, he was a little over the top, but so much fun.

Anyway, Cooper Costello continues to deliver. He went 45.97, nearly half a second faster than where the record stood just a few seasons ago, and he is now your Division III record holder in men’s 100 Fly.

If you are watching events thinking about CSCAA Swimmer of the Year Award, we think the field right now is Mr. Costello (100 Fly record), Brayden Morford (200 IM champion), and Justin Finkel (500 Free champion). All three faced off in 100 Fly, with Mr. Costello prevailing. Mr. Costello and Mr. Finkel face each other later today in men’s 200 Fly. Mr. Morford’s next event is 100 Back.

Do we think Denison’s Patrick Daly has a shot at the award? Yup, and we will know more shortly with the breaststroke events coming up today and tomorrow.

21.86

That was the opening split for Colin Twiss (USCGA) en route to becoming national champion in men’s 200 Free. Mr. Twiss, a senior, is putting the finishing touches on a great D3 career. Nobody else went sub-22 in that first 50.

1:30.00

Your new Division III record in women’s 200 Free Relay, set by Alex Turvey, Sydney Smith (who had kind of a big day), Ella Roberson, and Annika Naveen. MIT relays are a problem for everyone else.

4

The number of NYU athletes in today’s finals for women’s 200 Fly.

1-2-3

Kenyon’s seeds in today’s women’s 100 Breast—Jennah Fadely, Gabby Wei, and first-year Kelsey Van Eldik.

-1.56

Admittedly we are just picking an example out of a large basket, because many other athletes have had similar improvements. But context matters so let’s go with this one.

The time dropped by Kenyon’s Amelia Stevenson, at her first ever nationals, in women’s 200 Fly. Expected to finish out of the points, she is now in the championship final. Which, if you follow the horse-race, is the kind of thing the Ladies can use right now.