The first invitational tournament of the season has finally arrived for the Massachusetts swimming and diving teams. This will be the third year in a row that the two teams travel to Boston to compete in the Terrier Invitational hosted by Boston University.
Three swimmers on the men's team claimed first at last year's event. Juan Moliere finished first in the 100-yard freestyle event, Brian Schmidt in the 200-yard breaststroke, and Mike Berthaume claimed the podium in the 200-yard butterfly. Although the women's team couldn't notch any top spots last year, a few came close. Karen Upperco finished second in both diving events, while Christa Narus placed second in the 200-yard butterfly stroke.
This year, the men look to continue their undefeated record in the Terrier Invitational. With the help of Nate Bromage, last week's Atlantic 10 Performer of the Week, and Jason Cook, last week's A-10 Rookie of the Week, the men's swimming and diving team seems well equipped to do so.
In the competition this weekend, look for the normal standouts to finish in high spots on the final day. Juan Moliere will look to repeat his previous win in his individual event while freshman standout Jason Cook looks to prove himself on the diving boards. Cook will look for revenge at Boston University as his only loss on the diving board came from BU's top diver.
Freshman Joey Sbordon will also add a twist to the competition. Sbordon, with only a single loss in all his individual collegiate events, will look forward to competing in the finals on Sunday.
Nate Bromage and Mike Berthaume will also continue the one-two punch they've had all season. This past weekend, Bromage finished first in his two butterfly events, only to have Berthaume nipping at his tails for second in both races. Berthaume, along with Moliere, Andrew Willbrant, and Brian Schmidt, will compete as part of the 200-yard medley relay team while Bromage and Moliere will assist Sbordon and Max Butler in the 400-yard freestyle relay.
On the other side, the women's swimming and diving team will be looking for an inaugural first-place finish at this year's Terrier Invitational. In previous years, the women's team has always had a strong showing, but couldn't keep the consistency throughout the entire weekend. This year will hopefully be different for the Minutewomen.
As predicted at the beginning of the season, Elizabeth Walsh has turned up the heat for the women. Walsh, who keeps putting tallies in the first place columns, swims her strongest in the 100 and 200-yard backstroke but is now expanding her reign onto the 100-yard freestyle as she took first this past weekend at Binghamton.
Senior Christa Narus, who came close to a winning spot last winter, has the ability this year to claim a first spot in one of the butterfly events.
Rounding out the women's team in the diverse roster is Kayla Tegeler. The freshman competed in two events last weekend at both ends of the swimming spectrum, finishing first in the 1000 yard freestyle and 200 yard butterfly stroke. Tegeler, an example of how the team is built of well-rounded swimmers, should be put to the test in her first collegiate invitational tournament.
The three-day event is always a favorite for both the men's and women's teams. Both are built around events like this, which is similar to the Atlantic 10 Championships in the future. The men have the skills to continue their undefeated record, 4-0, while the women's team will try for their fourth win of the season.
Kyle Predki can be reached at kpredki@student.umass.edu.
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