Men’s Swimming Dominant in Wins Over Chatham, Bradford
ALTOONA, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona men's swimming team started its second semester of competition on a high note Saturday afternoon, when the Lions defeated non-conference opponent Chatham University 152-26 and Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference foe Pitt-Bradford 145-55 during a tri-meet in the Adler Natatorium.
Penn State Altoona won all but one event in the meet, stacking 11 first place finishes to earn comfortable wins over Chatham and Bradford. Adam Marawan (Dubai, UAE/GEMS Dubai American Academy) led the way for the Lions with three individual first places, while Luke Pletz (Jefferson Hills, PA/Thomas Jefferson) finished with two individual first place finishes.
Marawan's first individual win came in the 50 Yard Freestyle, during which he finished in 22.70. He won the next event, the 100 Yard Freestyle, by clocking in at 49.53, and he pulled off the trifecta by prevailing in the 200 Yard IM with a time of 2:06.16.
Pletz triumphed in the 100 Yard Backstroke for his first individual first place, earning a time of 54.68. His second win came in the 200 Yard Backstroke, when he finished in 2:02.75.
Four other Lions finished the day with one first place finish apiece.
Adam Dotts (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) took first place in the 100 Yard Breaststroke with a time of 1:03.57, and Brian Nguyen (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township) 200 Yard Breaststroke after recording a time of 2:18.33. Allan Samoilovich (Leonia, NJ/Paramus Catholic) was first place in the 200 Yard Butterfly with a time of 2:14.15, and Isaac Swanson (Clearfield, PA/Clearfield) won the 200 Yard Freestyle in 1:49.65.
Penn State Altoona also won both of the day's relay events.
In the 200 Yard Medley Relay, Nguyen Dotts, Ethan Andrews (McVeytown, PA/Mifflin County), and Marawan combined for a time of 1:42.75 to earn first place. The Lions capped the meet with a win in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, in which Dotts, Swanson, Jack Zisa (Yardley, PA/Pennsbury), and Pletz posted a total time of 1:34.89.
Penn State Altoona men's swimming wraps up its regular season schedule with another home meet next Saturday, January 28, when the Lions will host non-conference opponents Elizabethtown and Juniata Colleges for a tri-meet in Adler beginning at 1:00 p.m. The date will also mark the team's Senior Day ceremony.
