VMI Swim and Dive Concludes Season on Senior Day

The VMI swim and dive teams hosted Washington and Lee University for its senior day, Jan. 27, 2024, with the men’s side coming all the way down to the wire but falling 107-100.

“Today was a great day in the water for our teams. We had big support from our fans, and the Goodall Pool was packed with energy today as we honored our 1st classmen on senior day,” said Scott Thacker, VMI head coach. “Our squads stepped up and performed incredibly well. We are growing towards new success, and I am very proud of their efforts today.”

Senior Salute

Prior to the meet, Thacker and VMI recognized its seniors for their contributions to the program over the past four years. The seniors are Tyler Blackwell ’24, Kurt Comber ’24, Dalton Cosner ’24, Chase Lane ’24, Tommy Lees ’24, Collin Marks ’24, Michael Menton ’24, Chino Vera ’24 (men’s), Anne Bowles ’24, Sarah Liebenow ’24, Jillian Maher ’24, and Kate Taylor ’24 (women’s).

Women’s Swimming Superlatives

• Bowles shone brightly on senior day, claiming first in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:07.12.
• Noelle Tong ’26 continued her strong spring, pacing the field with a time of 59.41 to claim first in the 100-yard backstroke.
• Maher clocked in with a finals time of 57.10 in the 100-yard freestyle to claim three points for VMI in that event, finishing third in the 100-yard free (57.26).
• Walden Wilder ’27 showed well in the 200-yard IM, clocking in at 2:19.07 in the finals to earn four points.
• Liebenow placed second in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:29.69.

Men’s Swimming Superlatives

• Layne Tucker ’27 paced the field with a time of 58.22 in the 100-yard breaststroke, with Chase Lane ’24 just a shade behind him at 58.47, as the Keydets finished 1-2 in the event.
• Ethan Griffith ’25 continued his strong month, taking first in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:07.11 in the files, with Tucker placing second (2:11.11) and Austin Reeder ’27 third (2:12.32).
• Griffith also finished second in the 200-yard IM with a finals time of 1:57.03.
• Matthew Picard ’27 led the way in the 100-yard freestyle (46.53 finals time), while Sam Castle ’27 earned nine points with a first-place time of 1:56.41 in the 200-yard backstroke.
• Picard also took the 50-yard freestyle (21.32) and helped Vera, Maximus Brunner ’27, and Cosner finish second in the 200-yard freestyle relay.
• Cosner finished third in the 200-yard freestyle with a finals time of 1:47.00.
• Tinn Nguyen ’27 and Vera would place 2-3 in the 100-yard backstroke with times of 53.27 and 53.77.
• In the 200 butterfly, Elijah Fields ’27 (1:58.10) R.J. Mendoza ’26 (1:59.00) and Andrew Kulak ’27 (1:59.11) went 2-3-4.

Diving’s Best

While just exhibition, Ella Davenport ’26 scored a 148.20 on the 1-meter, while Craig Swain ’25 and Ryder Creal ’27 scored 198.35 and 194.47 on the 3-meter.

Team Scores

Men

Washington and Lee – 107
VMI – 100

Women

Washington and Lee – 160
VMI – 58

What’s Next

This meet wrapped up the regular season competition. VMI will remain in Lexington, turning their attention to the America East Conference Championship, which will be held Feb. 14–17, 2024, at the VMI Aquatic Center.

Editor’s Note: This article was first published at vmikeydets.com.