Gophers Split With Gallaudet on Senior Day

TOWSON, Md. - The Goucher College men's and women's swim teams split with Gallaudet University in the final regular season meet of the season Saturday at von Borries Aquatic Center.  The Gopher women posted a 131-46 victory, while the men were edged out 87-86.

The Gopher women took seven individual first place finishes and also had a pair of relay victories.  Ella Robinson (Canajoharie, N.Y./Canajoharie) took first in both the 200 individual medley (2:22.40) and in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.62).  

Darcy McFarland (East Hampton, N.Y./East Hampton) placed first in the 50 free with a 27.53 second effort.  Senior  Alejandra Barry-Ruiz (New Haven, Conn./Amity) was first in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:06.65, while Olivia Reichardt (Monument, Colo./Palmer) was first in the 100 freestyle with a time of 1:00.86.

Senior Kelci Wood (Spencer, Ind./Owen Valley) was first in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:07.94, while Avery McEachern (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day) won the 500 freestyle with a time of 6:15.27.

The 200 yard medley relay comprised of McFarland, Robinson, Barry-Ruiz and Wood too first with a time of 2:00.54.  In the 200 freestyle relay, Wood, Barry-Ruiz, McEachern and Reichardt took down first with a 1:50.63 effort.

For the men, senior Richie Bialik (New City, N.Y./Clarkstown) and first year Ben Graff (Baltimore, Md./Friends School) each won three events.

Bialik took first in the 200 freestyle (2:06.21), the 200 individual medley (2:31.24) and the 100 breaststroke (1:25.49).  His 100 breaststroke time was a personal best.  Graff was victorious in the 50 free (24.30), the 100 butterfly (58.11) and the 100 backstroke (1:04.85).  All three marks for Graff were his personal bests.

Senior Liam McDonald (Cary, N.C./St. Francis) took first in the 500 free with a time of 6:45.93.

Prior to the meet, seniors Bialik, McDonald, Barry-Ruiz and Wood, along with senior manager Khari Wilkins were recognized. 

Goucher is back in action February 17-19 when it competes at the Landmark Conference Championships at the Germantown (Md.) Aquatic Center.