The men’s and women’s swim teams emerged victorious from their first meets of the fall season on Oct. 21, recording victories over Randolph-Macon College.

The men’s team placed first in 13 of the 14 events, while the women’s team recorded first-place finishes in 12 of the 14 events.

“I was really happy with our relay wins,” said Ali MacQueen, ’20. “Even though we lost some good seniors this year I think the women’s team has really stepped it up thus far so we will see what can happen.”

MacQueen placed first in the 100-yard freestyle event. She was a part of the winning 200-yard medley relay with Ashley Johnston, ’20, Emily Hageboeck, ’20, and Elle Chancey, ’19, as well as the 200-yard free relay with Johnston, Cassidy Fuller, ’18, and Chancey.

“I think this year, the team’s greatest strengths are positivity and commitment,” MacQueen said. “We have done a great job of staying positive even in hard practices or if a race doesn’t quite go as well, there is always someone there to cheer you on or comfort you.”

Hageboeck agreed.

“There are so many swimmers that come prepared to swim fast and work hard at every single practice, even at 5:45 in the morning,” she said.

The women’s team sent eight swimmers to the NCAA Championships last season, placing seventh overall. It was the best finish in the program’s history.

Jordan Watson, ’19, who won the 1000-yard free in just over 11 minutes, says the team always strives to get better.

“Some of the team’s goals are to win all of our dual meets, have as many best times as possible at the midseason and ODAC meets, and then, to send more people to nationals than we did last season,” Watson said.

On the men’s side, in addition to their 13 first-place finishes, the team also took second place in 11 of the 14 events.

Sam Logue, ’20, took first place in the 50-yard free, second in the 100-yard free, and was a part of the first-place 200-yard free relay, along with Tommy Thetford, ’18, Corey Connelly, ’18, and Patrick Sullivan, ’21.

Logue was happy with the team’s finish at the meet.

“It felt nice to see hard work pay off in the pool, and I’m excited to keep practicing hard with the team to see where the season takes us,” Logue said.

Sullivan, who in addition to his participation in the 200-yard free relay placed first in 100- and 200-yard back, said he was happy to help lead the team to victory.

“I was glad I could contribute to the team and help us get the win,” Sullivan said. “I’m excited to see what we can accomplish as a team.”

Logue believes the close-knit nature of the team has helped them succeed in their meets this season.

“I believe the team has done incredibly well thus far and achieved a lot this year, not only in the pool, but overall, as we have become extremely close with one another,” said Logue.

The teams will return to the pool on Nov. 11 when they race against Carnegie Mellon and Grove City at Carnegie Mellon.

“I am super excited for our meet against Carnegie Mellon,” Hageboeck said. “Last year was the first time in a very long time that the women’s team won that meet. There were so many amazing races last year, and I really look forward to seeing how our team performs at high energy meets this year.”