Swimming and Diving Dominates in Victory Over John Carroll

The Canisius Swimming and Diving teams recorded 22 first place finishes and swept the podium in eight events as they defeated John Carroll to round out their home meet schedule Friday evening in collegiate swimming and diving action at the Burt Flickinger Center in downtown Buffalo.

For the first time since their meet against Rochester on Oct. 21, 2023, the Golden Griffins won on both sides of the pool, with the men's team taking a 172-106 win over the Blue Streaks and the women's team garnering a 184-105 triumph.

The women's team was led by freshman Evie Leighton and junior Brenna McLaughlin, each of whom finished on the podium three times. Leighton finished first on all three podium trips, starting the meet with a 200 medley relay victory, with her team recording a 1:48.72 time. She finished first in the 200 freestyle and 100 free, earning times of 1:54.51 and 53.03 respectively.

McLaughlin took first place in both 200 backstroke (2:09.67) and 200 IM (2:13.07), and finished third in the 100 backstroke (1:00.97). McLaughlin's 100 back was only narrowly outpaced by her teammates, freshman SaraJo Gardner (1:00.96) and senior Jordan O'Connor (59.72) who finished first and second to complete the sweep.

Senior Reilly King also earned a victory on senior day, winning the 1000 yard freestyle with a time of 11:03.91. Senior day brought many great performances from newcomers as well with freshman Cassandra Ercoli winning the 100 breaststroke (1:08.640) and the 200 breast (2:31.42), along with freshman Andi Mackey winning the 500 freestyle (5:22.72).

On the men's side, the lone diver for Canisius, freshman Alex Szczepankiewicz, won the one meter competition with a score of 144.23 to earn his first collegiate victory and the Griff's first diving win of the season.

Marin de Villard continued his incredible rookie season, winning the 200 back (1:52.57), 500 freestyle (4:50.41), 100 back (51.10) and a 200 medley relay victory with a 23.46 backstroke split.

Sophomore Sam Vidal and junior Bronson Benes also racked up the points for the Griffs. Vidal was victorious in the the 100 breast (57.11) and 200 breast (2:06.61) and Benes in both the 100 (51.59) and 200 (1:54.5) butterfly races.

Up Next:
The Griffs travel to Lewiston, N.Y. to compete against Niagara in the Battle of the Bridge tomorrow in a dual-meet set to begin Saturday, Jan. 20 at 12 p.m. in the Oxy Aquatic Center.

For complete coverage of Canisius swimming and diving, please follow @griffs_swim on Instagram and @GriffsSwim on X.

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Players Mentioned

Sam Vidal: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Bronson Benes: 5' 8"; Junior

Jordan O'Connor: 5' 5"; Senior

Marin de Villard: 6' 5"; Freshman

Cassandra Ercoli: 5' 5"; Freshman

SaraJo Gardner: 5' 10"; Freshman

Reilly King: 5' 8"; Graduate Student

Evie Leighton: 5' 11"; Freshman

Andi Mackey: 5' 6"; Freshman

Brenna McLaughlin: 5' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Sam Vidal
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Bronson Benes
: 5' 8"; Junior

Jordan O'Connor
: 5' 5"; Senior

Marin de Villard
: 6' 5"; Freshman

Cassandra Ercoli
: 5' 5"; Freshman

SaraJo Gardner
: 5' 10"; Freshman

Reilly King
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student

Evie Leighton
: 5' 11"; Freshman

Andi Mackey
: 5' 6"; Freshman

Brenna McLaughlin
: 5' 6"; Junior