The women's swimming team got off to a mediocre start in its meet Friday at West Chester, but junior Amy Reams made sure they finished strong.
With Penn holding onto a slim lead at the halfway point, Reams began the second half with an impressive win in the 100-yard freestyle. The Quakers never looked back, finishing the meet in dominating fashion in a 180-120 victory over the Golden Rams.
"[Reams' win] was the turning point of the meet," coach Mike Schnur said.
Schnur himself played a crucial role in the meet's defining moment, inspiring his team prior to its fast finish.
"Mike said we needed to start stepping up and winning races, so that's exactly what we did," Reams said. "I think after that speech, all of us wanted to win our races, and I knew I was in a position to start us off on the right foot."
The men also took care of business against the Rams, easing to a win, 186-112.
"We swam our best meet this semester, for sure," Schnur said of the men's team.
Both teams got huge boosts from their breaststrokers, who swept all four breastroke races. Two freshmen led the way.
For the women's team (4-5, 2-5 Ivy), Laura Klick won both the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke.
"Our women breaststrokers have been great all year and tonight they were at their usual peak," Schnur said.
On the men's side, Brendan McHugh also took first in both breaststroke races in addition to winning the 200 individual medley. The Quakers (4-5, 1-4) have developed a swagger as the year has progressed.
"I don't think we have been outscored in breaststroke very much this year," McHugh noted. "I didn't really expect that to change."
Next up for Penn swimming is another dual meet Thursday at La Salle.
With the finale of their season just around the corner, the women are growing anxious.
"We have been looking forward to championships since day one, and I think we are absolutely ready," Reams said.
Meanwhile, McHugh's team is taking a slightly different approach, hoping to use the La Salle meet as a chance to build momentum heading into championships.
"The meet is going to be primarily sprints, which will offer us the opportunity to generate excitement and energy within our team," the freshman said. "Hopefully [that can] be carried over to the end of the year."
Schnur knows that each team is in for a challenge.
"Championships [are] a whole different animal, and they're just going to have to step up a level."
If Reams' race is any indication, both teams are poised for a triumphant conclusion.
