Women Swim to Second Place at Bucknell Invitational

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The Bucknell Invitational geared Fordham up for the A-10 championship meet. Christian Wiloejo/The Ram
The Bucknell Invitational geared Fordham up for the A-10 championship meet. Christian Wiloejo/The Ram

By Drew Casey

Prior to the Thanksgiving break, the Fordham swimming and diving team competed in the three-day Bucknell Invitational in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The women’s team finished second, while the men’s team placed sixth.The meet mirrored the Atlantic 10 Championship with a preliminary and final format, and was the biggest test both teams have faced during the young season.The women’s team concluded the three days of competition with 1,097.5 points, finishing only be- hind Bucknell’s 1,631 points.

“We were definitely happy with everyone’s performances,” senior captain Savannah Coe said. “A lot of teams come into this invi- tational fully tapered, which puts us at an automatic disadvantage since we don’t do a full taper for the meet.”

Tapering refers to limiting physical activity and practice in the days leading up to a meet. Not being fully tapered is a disadvantage because the team is not as well-rested as the competition.

Despite this, the Fordham women’s team had six swimmers finish in the top three in individual events. Junior Chandler Lulley was the top finisher, winning the 100-yard freestyle on Sunday in 51.23. Her twin sister, Shannon Lulley, was second in the 100-yard freestyle and took third in the 100-butterfly on Saturday.

Sophomore Megan Polaha placed second in the 200-yard butterfly and was third in the 400- yard individual medley, while senior Kelly Carroll touched third in both the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley.

Sophomore Kalena Laurent, who placed third in the 200-yard butterfly, and senior Megan Zarriello, who finished third in the 1,650-yard freestyle, rounded out the top finishers for the Rams.

Additionally, the women’s team placed in the top three of four relay events. The 400-yard medley relay team won Friday night’s final to close out the first day of competition. The following day, both the 200-yard medley relay team and 800-yard freestyle relay team touched second. On Sunday, the 400-yard freestyle relay team took third place.

Overall, the meet was a great preview of the conference championship for the women’s team.

“It is always good to have a run through of the events that we all plan on swimming at A-10s to see what our best options are,” Coe said.

The men’s team did not fare as well, with only two swimmers placing in the top three through- out the weekend. Junior Steve Sholdra led the way, placing near the top in three events. Sholdra was second in the 200-yard butterfly, and touched third in both the 400-yard individual medley and 1,650-yard freestyle. Freshman Christopher Viera finished third in the 200-yard butterfly.

“The Bucknell Invite weekend is always tough and tiring, consider- ing we are at our peak of training and getting close to the Thanksgiv- ing holiday,” senior captain Brandon Strong said.

The Fordham swimming and diving team is back in action against Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 3; at the Colonel Francis B. Messmore Aquatics Center at 6 p.m.

Following the meet and the conclusion of the academic semester, the swimmers and divers will return home to train on their own for a short time. They will then embark on an intensive training trip to Barbados.