Michael Scarpelli
Contributing Writer
Wooster swim and dive competed on Saturday, Nov. 4 in a dual meet against Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. The women’s team defeated Mount Union 175.33-144.66, but the men lost to the Purple Raiders by a score of 190-136.
The women’s team won their 24th consecutive dual meet, led by Maddie Becker ’24 and Ollie Bream ’25. Recent success can be attributed to a new training regimen. “The team has been training hard. We have added morning practices after Fall Break to our routine,” said Head Coach Rob Harrington.
Many team members, including Bream, see a strong team identity this year. “The team has been working incredibly hard in practice and lifts. Holding each other accountable to be able to push ourselves has been such a gift, knowing that we’re not working towards only our individual goals but working for the goals of the entire team to reach success at Conference,” said Bream.
Bream won three events at Mount Union, posting a 2:12.82 to win the 200 butterfly, a 1:00.98 to win the 100 butterfly and a 4:49.41 in the 400 individual medley. Becker and Bream teamed up with Izzy Bellefleur ’25 and Hallie Findlan ’25 to post a 4:10.74 in the 400-medley relay. Additionally, Wooster took all podium spots in the 1,000 freestyle; JP Timken ’25 won the event with a time of 11:14.42, followed by Kate Peck ’27 and Lacey Mindock ’26.
Overall team chemistry is helping the women’s team immensely. “With such a big team this year it alters the way in which we act on deck, with even louder cheering and support on our sidelines. I think this is a great opportunity to do something spectacular at our larger meets this year, as team support is a major pillar for success,” said Becker.
For the men’s team, Tucker Andrewjeski ’25 led the charge, winning two events: the 200 breaststroke and the 400 individual medley. Isaac Shaker ’25 followed Andrewjeski to place second in the 400 individual medley. In the 100-meter breaststroke, Boston Sullivan ’26 took home the win with a time of 1:02.54. Sullivan credits his improvement to the conditioning program that the team has implemented.
“As we are getting further into conditioning, we are starting to see times that we are working toward for Conference,” said Sullivan.
Mount Union is a strong opponent, which made this win even sweeter. “Facing Mount Union is always a tough task,” said Andrewjeski. “We treated this match as a rivalry, and we trained diligently since the beginning of this season to face them.”
The common sentiment is pure excitement heading into the rest of the season, as the team is three meets deep. “I’m proud of the hard work everyone has been putting in, on and off deck, to make sure that we are as successful as possible. It’s all looking quite promising for us,” said Bream.
Coming this weekend, the team will take this win in stride and continue to build momentum as they head into a home matchup against Westminster College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11.