Stags Stay Undefeated In SCIAC

The CMS Stag swimming and diving squad stayed undefeated in SCIAC competition with a 224-62 win over Occidental College over the weekend.  The 6-0 Stags will face the 6-0 Redlands Bulldogs next Saturday for top seed in SCIAC heading into the Championships.

The Stags placed first in 15 of the 16 events and three CMS swimmers won multiple races.  Sophomore Sean Fitzgerald won the 200 and 100 yard freestyle events.  Junior Jeff McNerney out-touched an Oxy swimmer by .09 seconds in the 50 free with a 22.43 and then swam a smooth 500 in 5:00.26.  Jordan Lieberman followed his 200 yard backstroke win with a 2:02.62 in the 200 individual medley, leading a Stag 1-2-3 sweep in the event.

"It was a solid day for us," said Coach Charlie Griffiths. "A lot of swimmers posted season-best times and I liked our effort in finishing races."

Seven Stags scored single event victories.  In Friday's diving competition, Andrew Fevery won the 1-meter board and teammate Garrett Smith out-pointed the field on the 3-meter board.

In Saturday's swimming races, Blake Weber popped off a season best 53.54 in the 100 yard backstroke. Senior Brian Nadler surged ahead in the final 50 yards to win the 200 fly.  Brad Perfect won the 100 breast.  Devin Bowers drove his hands to the wall to finish first in the 100 fly.  Sophomore Nathan Lenssen scored his first collegiate individual victory, winning the 200 yard breaststroke.

"Even the exhibition races were exciting," Coach Griffiths continued. "Joey Klonowski busted out a personal record in the 200 free by over seven seconds. That gets everyone pumped up."

In relay action, Austin Hallett, Vincent Pai, Brendan Huss and Bowers won the 200 yard medley relay in 1:39.42.  Chris Pei, McNerney, Weber and Hallett teamed to win the 400 free relay.

With three weeks until the SCIAC Championships, CMS prepares for its final dual meet.  Diving at Redlands will begin at 10:00 a.m. with swimming at 11:00 a.m. on February 5.