Mary Washington Wins 14th Straight CAC Men's Swimming Crown; UMW's Anderson, York's Walthall Named Co-Athletes of the Year
Mary Washington won 15 events and compiled 937 points throughout the weekend to secure its 14th straight CAC Men's Swimming Championship on Sunday night at St. Mary's.
St. Mary's placed second with a three-day total of 541 points, with York close behind in third with 535.5. Salisbury (407.5), Marymount (347) and Frostburg State (182) rounded out the team scores.
Mary Washington junior Alex Anderson and York sophomore Kyle Walthall were honored as the Co-CAC Swimming Athletes of the Year, while UMW freshman Henry Bassett earned Rookie of the Year accolades and Eagles' head coach Abby Brethauer garnered Coach of the Year recognition.
Anderson earned Athlete of the Year honors for the second straight season, collecting seven gold medals to lead Mary Washington to the team crown. In Sunday's competition, Anderson broke his own CAC record in the 200 butterfly (1:46.13) en route to first place, before closing out the meet with a victory in the 400 freestyle relay along with Dallas Tarkenton, Matthew Garstka and Bassett.
Bassett captured his sixth overall and second individual gold in the 100 freestyle on his way to Rookie of the Year recognition.
Walthall posted his second gold-medal finish on Sunday in the 200 breastroke, breaking Anderson's conference record with a time of 2:02.50.
Mary Washington sophomore Zach Eisig opened the final day of competition with a victory in the 1650 free, completing the race in 16:14.88.
Salisbury's Okan Eyigor then picked up the first victory for the Sea Gulls, claiming top honors in the 200 backstroke at 1:52.87.
FINAL TEAM SCORES 1. Mary Washington - 937 2. St. Mary's - 541 3. York - 535.5 4. Salisbury - 407.5 5. Marymount - 347 6. Frostburg State - 182