CMS Sweeps Redlands In Dual Meet Finale

The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags and Athenas swept the University of Redlands in the season's dual meet finale on Saturday, Feb. 2.  At Redlands' home pool, the Athenas topped the Bulldogs 148 to 95, while the Stags beat Redlands 185 to 58.

The Athenas were led by senior diver Carmen Lundell. In addition to posting the winning score on the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard, Lundell reached the NCAA regional qualifying mark on the 3-meter board. She will join teammate James Stevick at the NCAA qualifying meet in San Antonio, Texas, in March.

For the second week in a row, CMS fell behind early, but found a way to rally for a team victory.  Beyond Lundell's diving sweep, six additional Athenas won individual events: Bridget Moran (1650 free), Olivia Graham (400 IM), Michele Kee (200 butterfly), Ali Fisher (200 backstroke), LillyBelle Deer (500 free), Maddy Gebhard (200 breaststroke).  CMS ended the day with a victory in the 400 yard freestyle relay, with the team of Dana Shaker, Deer, Kristie Howard and Kee touching the wall first.

"Every week is a battle in the SCIAC," said Coach Charlie Griffiths. "These back-and-forth dual meets are a great way to prepare for Championships."

The men's meet provided more fireworks. While winning 12 of 13 events, the Stags took aim at the University of Redlands pool record board, claiming new marks in five events.  The 400 medley relay team of Blake Weber, Brad Perfect, Mark Blumberg and Patrick Shultz finished in 3:27.60, which was well under CMS's own record of 3:31.34, set in 2011.  Shultz joined Cameron Whiting, Devin Bowers and Joey Hinton to blister the 400 free relay record, setting a new mark of 3:07.57.  The 400 free relay result was Whiting's second record of the day, as his 1:43.60 in the 200 free was a pool record, as well.  Sophomore Alex Mendoza set two pool records in one event, beating the previous 1000 mark en route to a new 1650 yard freestyle pool record.

"The guys continue to do a great job of pushing each other in practice," Coach Griffiths said. "The team has created a great training environment and it is fun to watch that translate into fast meet performances."

CMS earned eight individual victories in addition to the pool-record setting performances. James Stevick won the 1-meter and 3-meter boards. Relay record setters, Hinton and Bowers, won the 50 free and 100 free, respectively. Mendoza finished his distance double by out-touching Whiting in the 500 free by .16 seconds. Both swims were within a few tenths of a second of the 500 free pool record.  Freshmen Conrad Shabb, Matt Valentine and Judge Lee won the 400 IM, 200 butterfly and 200 breaststroke, with Lee setting a personal record of 2:09.99 in the breaststroke event.

Each CMS team finishes the SCIAC dual meet season 8-0. The overall SCIAC title will be up for grabs during the SCIAC Swimming and Diving Championships, February 17-19, at Splash! La Mirada.