M. Swimming tops Columbia at Sheerr

Despite similar records, the Penn men's swimming team (4-6, 3-6 EISL) defeated Columbia (3-6) Saturday at Sheerr Pool 133-108, in what both coach Kathy Lawlor-Gilbert and Captain Colin Robinson called "by far the best win of the season." "All of the races were key," Robinson said. "Everyone swam well, the freshman swam great, as did the three seniors in their last meet at home. We were really hitting on all cylinders." Penn assistant coach Mike Schnur believes that some races were more important, however, because the beginning of the meet was close. "Nick Sheremeta pulling the 200 freestyle out at the end and Matt Dicker getting second really helped our confidence only three races into the meet," Schnur said. "I've been resting for a couple of weeks, and I really wanted to perform well today, and I did," Dicker said in response to his finish in the 200 freestyle. Schnur also mentioned the 1650 as a key race, where Blake Martin beat his closest opponent by over four tenths of a second. "Martin is one of the best at the mile in the league," Schnur said. Colin Robinson's placing second in the 20 butterfly and Jon Maslow's first place finish in the 100 freestyle drew praise from the coaches for their performances. Although most every Penn swimmer deserved praise for his achievements Saturday, all seemed to agree that senior Rob Hassett was the swimmer of the meet. Hassett, swimming in his final race, placed first in both his events, the 200 breast and the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:57:09, winning by over eight tenths of a second. "[Hassett] really came through today," Robinson said. "It was a great way to end his career with a win." Lawlor-Gilbert concurred, stating that "Hassett performed outstandingly." "I just wanted to end my career on a great note, and I'm glad everything worked out the way it did," Hassett said. The senior pointed to his 200 breast as his most impressive swim where his time was 2:08:73. The Quakers had the lead through the meet, especially toward the middle of the competition heading into the diving events. Lawlor-Gilbert believes the team swam well even with the big lead. "It was an excellent response to seeing that lead at the one meter dive and not getting complacent or soft or lazy. They kept the pressure on and didn't let up," Lawlor-Gilbert said. The coach also believes that although the team lost the final event, the 400 freestyle medley, had the race been closer at that point, the Quakers would have won the race. In diving, Kyle Goldbacher continued to impress, placing first in the one meter dive and third in the three meter event. The Quakers have the week off and then they travel to Cambridge the following week to face a tough Harvard squad. For now, however, Penn can relax and enjoy this impressive win.

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