The rest of New Paltz has only just gotten back, but the men’s swimming team took the saying “just keep swimming” seriously, because they have had an eventful winter! Three meets were originally scheduled to take place in early January, but these did not go as planned. There was a home meet planned against Pace University for Jan. 12, but it was canceled. A SUNYAC meet was planned, once again on home turf, against Cortland for Jan. 14. This was postponed. Finally, a home meet planned against Skidmore College for Jan. 19 was canceled, as well.
The new year was not off to the start that men’s swimming had planned. They bounced back, however, with a meet the next day after their canceled Skidmore College meet. On Jan. 20, Cortland came to the Elting Pool for a Hawks versus Red Dragon’s meet to kick off the new season.
New Paltz had some impressive times, especially in breastroke. The Hawks proved talented here, taking first for the 100 and 200 yards. In the 100-yard breaststroke, first-year Venn Engstrom came in first place with a time of 1:04.53. First-year Lucas Hoyt was right behind him in second, with a time of 1:04.80.
Moving past 100-yard, third-year Owen Rowlands was able to take first in the 200-yard breaststroke. His time was 2:21.80. In the meet, there were standout athletes who took multiple wins. Rowlands came in first for 400-yard IM, on top of his 200-yard breaststroke win. Rowlands also took second place in 200-yard freestyle. As a third-year, he proved experienced and talented in the water by bringing in lots of points for the Hawks.
Another standout athlete was first-year Steven Macaluso, who placed first in 100-yard freestyle, with a time of 50.68. The second place swimmer, Alex Hilldale from Cortland, came close on his heels with a 50.90, but Macaluso took the win. Macaluso also placed first in the 100-yard butterfly, with a time of 55.34. He took second in the 50-yard freestyle. This was impressive as a first-year.
Overall, New Paltz put up a great fight. They swam well in each category. Multiple top five times were achieved in each style by the Hawks. Unfortunately, Cortland was victorious. The final score was 106-156 in the Red Dragon’s favor.
The loss won’t keep the Hawks down for very long. On Saturday, Feb. 5, they swim again. In our very own Elting Pool, Oneonta will face the Hawks. Come out to show your support! The indoor pool is the perfect place to watch a riveting meet, even if the outside is freezing. New Paltz is on a six game winning streak against Oneonta in the past and the Hawks are shooting — swimming, if you will — for seven.
After that, the SUNYAC tournament begins. On Feb. 16, in Buffalo, the swimmers will begin SUNYAC meets. New Paltz had an impressive year with SUNYAC games last semester, and we are hoping men’s swimming can continue this high performance in their own SUNYAC games. Cheer them on as they take on the 2022 season!
