The Wesleyan men’s and women’s swimming teams captured easy home victories on Wednesday against the Coast Guard Academy. An often tense and heated event such as the final drama of last year’s 123-120 Coast Guard men’s triumph, was complete Cardinal domination this year. 

Wesleyan took home first place in the first three men’s and women’s events and didn’t look back, rolling over the Bears by scores of 138-105 for the men and 136-88 for the women. 

On the way to the team victory, several of the men came up with strong individual performances. 

Co-captain Josh Walker ’01 took home first place in all three of his events–the 50 yd. freestyle, the 200 yd. butterfly, and the 200 yd. medley relay. Walker, who won the fly by nearly
seven seconds, is undefeated in the event this season. 

Co-captain Zeke Rauscher ’01 was also part of the winning 200-yd medley squad, in addition to finishing first in the 200 yd. IM and 200 yd. backstroke. Dan Fisher ’01 and Rob Barlow ’02
placed first in their events, while diver Abbott Willard ’02 easily took first in the 1m and 3m dives. In all, the men fell short of first in only two events that day.

"We haven’t beaten Coast Guard in, it must be like seven or eight years," Barlow said. "To beat them with our history, and with how we lost last year, it was awesome."

The women’s team enjoyed similar success. Emily Hager ’01 led the way with two individual firsts, in the 100 yd. and 200 yd. free, and a hand in the final women’s event, the 200 yd. free
relay. Arianne Donar ’01 came in first in the 200 yd. IM and 200 yd. fly, while Laurie Shaner ’03 held her own on the diving boards with first place in the 1 m and 3m. 

"We did a really great job," Hager said. "We haven’t beaten Coast Guard [since I’ve been here], so it was just really awesome."

The team lost only one more event than the men on its way to a whopping 48-point win. For seniors, however, the victory brought the realization that it was their last dual meet at Wesleyan.

"It was definitely weird [to think this is our last meet together]," Donar said. "But all of us have been together for the last four years, so I’m glad we got to share it."

The teams now must prepare for the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championship meet, held next weekend, February 16-18 for the women, and the following
weekend for the men. The swimmers said they are optimistic and ready to get back in the pool.

"I think we needed a really good last meet to build up our confidence," Barlow said. "I think we can really come out and pound out some fast times."