Loyola University Maryland’s men’s swimming and diving team delivered a clinical performance on Friday to secure a decisive 172-128 dual-meet victory over Bucknell.
The Greyhounds utilized their superior depth to take control of the contest at the Mangione Pool, with Thomas Cechini among those playing a vital role in securing points across a demanding schedule of events.
Freshman Thomas Cechini continues to prove a valuable asset to the Greyhounds’ distance unit. In a grueling Men’s 1000 Yard Freestyle, Cechini battled through a competitive field to touch the wall in 9:40.73.
His fifth-place finish added crucial points to the Loyola tally in an event where teammate Chase Garcia led the home charge, finishing second in 9:32.14. The race was won by Bucknell’s William Shoemaker, but the Greyhounds’ pack-style scoring ensured they maintained their early momentum in the team standings.
The Greyhounds’ strength in numbers was perhaps most evident in the final event of the afternoon, the Men’s 400 Yard Freestyle Relay. While Loyola’s 'A' team claimed the overall victory to put the result beyond doubt, the 'B' squad produced a standout performance to underline the program's depth.
Cechini returned to the water to help pilot the Loyola 'B' relay to a third-place finish. The quartet clocked a time of 3:05.04, successfully fending off Bucknell’s secondary units to ensure a significant points haul for the hosts.
The victory was built on a series of dominant displays throughout the afternoon. Loyola set the tone from the opening event, claiming the 200 Yard Medley Relay, and rarely looked back.
Joe Hayburn was a standout performer for the home side, securing a hat-trick of individual wins in the 100 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke, and 100 Butterfly. Brennan Coyle also impressed, claiming the 100 Breaststroke and contributing to the winning relay efforts.
|
