Drexel University’s men’s swimming and diving team showed up again last weekend, Nov. 16, placing second at the Frank Elm Invitational hosted by Rutgers University.
Major contributions came from the seven swimmers who made the finals in the 200 individual medley. They included Junior Greg Oprendek; sophomores Chad Schmidt and Andrew Reimon; freshmen Brian Woo, Kyle Lukens and James Premo; and junior Ilan Khayt. In a 50 freestyle semifinal swim-off, sophomore Alex Chialastri beat Villanova University’s Chris Tamanini, making it into the finals with a time of 21.84. Both Alex Bagshaw and Joel Berryman tied for third going into the finals with a time of 21.50. The Dragons received a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay from Mike Shaeffer, Berryman, Mike Krohn and Bagshaw. They also finished third in the 400 freestyle relay, swam by Chialastri, Berryman, Krohn and Bagshaw.
Drexel’s women’s team took sixth place overall last weekend. The highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly senior Lauren Faykes, who swam the 500 free in 5:00.65, which is fourth best all time in Drexel women’s history. Faykes also swam a personal best in the 200 IM in 2:08.11, improving to second on Drexel’s top-five all-time 200 list. Sophomore Rebecca Heffernan posted a time of 4:39.62, her personal best in the 400 IM, which puts her in third place on Drexels all-time top-five list.
In diving, freshman David Sanchez took fourth place in the 3-meter and seventh in the 1-meter event. Senior Stephen Cal placed sixth, right in front of Sanchez, in the 1-meter as well.
Next up, the Dragons head south to Austin, Texas, to compete in the U.S. Short Course Nationals Nov. 29 through Dec. 1. The event is being held at the University of Texas. This will be their last meet before winter break.