Athletics
The VMI men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are off to a strong start this season, as the men’s team claimed victory in the season’s first home meet. In addition, several Keydets, including many swimmers new to the teams, have already shown potential for substantial contributions now and in the future.
Men’s Swimming Victory Closes out Clark King Pool
Led by eight first-place finishes and a strong showing by the divers, the VMI men’s swimming and diving team took home a victory Nov. 5 over Mount St. Mary’s University (Maryland) 153-145 in the final swim meet to take place in historic Clark King Pool. The Keydet women’s team held a lead midway through the competition but fell 173-115 to the Mountaineers.
With the victory, Scott Thacker, first-year head coach, recorded his first win at VMI. It was the last varsity swimming and diving meet scheduled to be held in Clark King Pool, as the new Aquatic Center on post is set to be completed over Christmas furlough.
“I am incredibly proud of our performances from both squads today in our final meet in Clark King,” said Thacker. “Our Keydets competed with pride, energy, and enthusiasm from beginning to end.”
Men’s swimming highlights:
- Ethan Griffith ’25 and Conner Jorgensen ’23 swam to a 1-2 finish in the 1000 free
- Chase Lane ’24 placed first in the 100 breast
- Griffith notched another first-place finish in the 200 fly and earned his third victory of the day in the 400 IM
- Chino Vera ’24 placed first in the 100 free
- Jack Sheehan ’23 took first in the 100 fly
Women’s Swimming Highlights:
- The trio of Sarah Liebenow ’24, Anna Grace Adams ’26, and Sadie Smith ’26 swept the top three spots in the 1000 free, finishing first, second, and third
- Noelle Tong ’26 picked up her first college swimming event win in the 100 backstroke
- Courtney Novotny ’25 and Jessica Cox ’24 finished second and third in the 100 breast
- Rachel Greathouse ’25 won the 200 fly
- Carter Wasser ’25 finished second in the 200 back
Diving Highlights:
- The VMI divers outscored MSM 55-18 in the last home meet in Clark King Pool
- The men’s team, led by Bridger Thurston ’23, took first, second, and third on both 1M and 3M boards
- Lane Jones ’26 recorded a PR on the 3M board (taking second place)
- The women’s team was led by London Yerasimides ’23, who placed first on both the 1M and 3M boards
- Ella Davenport ’26 recorded a PR on the 3M board, taking fourth place
VMI Swims Well in Season Opener at Gardner-Webb
The VMI men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams swam well Oct. 15 in the season opener at Gardner-Webb University in Bost Pool in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. The Runnin’ Bulldogs won the men’s half 209-53 and the women’s competition 207-45.
It was the first meet at the helm for Scott Thacker, VMI swim and dive first-year head coach.
Inside the Results:
- Liebenow finished third in the 1000 freestyle and 200 breaststroke and fourth in the 200 IM
- Wasser touched the wall in third in the 100 backstroke
- Anne Bowles ’24 finished third in the 100 breaststroke
- Connor Doyle ’23 was third in both the 100 and 200 backstroke
- Sheehan swam to a first-place finish in the 200 IM and a third-place finish in the 50 free
Coach Thacker on the Meet:
“We are happy with our results today,” said Thacker. “We are ahead of where we were last year this time, and that’s where you want to be at your first meet of the year. The team is putting in great work and trusting the process. The team had great energy, competed well, and battled during every race—I am so proud of what we brought to the pool today.”
Editor’s Note: This article was first published on vmikeydets.com.
