The Maine Event

The 5th Annual Maine Event went live this weekend... and it was the biggest one yet.  With four teams on deck and over a hundred swimmers walking around in tech suits, there was a fantastic vibe flowing around Tarbell Pool.

Gogs and Mitch

The meet was great with UMaine bringing their whole men's team in attempt to get more qualified for ECAC's.  Bowdoin brought 25, UNE Men's team finished up their season too - with an amazing group of supporters in the stands! - and of course 50+ Bobcats attacked their races with confidence and a sense of eagerness that means the taper was in full gear!

Swims of note...

Alex Gogliettino... smashed is lifetime bests and pops a 1:01.0 and 2:11 in the breaststroke events.
He took 7 seconds off his 200 breast and 3 off his 100.  Unbelievable.  No one worked harder - or smiled more this year.

Chris Makrides! ... male comeback swimmer of the year.  After a season off as a junior, he poured his heart and soul into the season at a whole new level - and it paid off.  He drops 10(!) seconds off his seed time in the 200 fly going a 2:01... and hit his personal best in the 100 on the way out too.  He then sheds nearly 3 seconds off his in-season 100 fly time with another lifetime best.

Hannah Kogan... welcome back Koganator!  She took off 7 seconds in her 200 fly for a lifetime best...and the 3 off her 100 fly time!  She came ready to rumble.

Hannah Lutz  - swimming with a 24 stomach virus, Hannah pooped 3 times... errr, I mean POPPED 3 times which show us she can score points at NESCACs.  It's a tremendous comeback for her too.  Freshman year injuries led to a strong but unsatisfying season... With sophomore year coming you can tell she is on a mission - only to return to school in a wheelchair b/c of a severely broken ankle.  January rolls around and she finally swims her first meet with great results... then when it is time to see her hard work pay off, she's can't stop throwing up.  It was amazing to see her stay composed and deal with adversity - and all the while she kept swimming so fast!

E Depew, I Meyer, H Chory

Rachel Pedersen killed it by taking .5 off her lifetime best in the 50 free! and another full second off her LTB in the 200 free.  She never looked better!

Zach Antonio swam all lifetime bests and never looked smoother.
Pete Mihalcik came back from abroad and swam his distance events like a pro!
Hannah Chory wins the 100 back with a LTB to show she is a force in 3 different events!
Melissa Paione broke the pool record in the 200 breast with a LTB!
Captain Emily Depew swam one of the most beautiful 200 backs of her career too which also broke the pool record!

800 Free Relay Chat

And of course we can't forget our two women's 800 freestyle relays that both broke the pool record - as well as the A relay which set the school record and is currently ranked 4th in the country.  It was a great swim by all 8 ladies - all of them at their season best a week out of NESCACs... all with great swims... but also all knowing that they will be even faster with a shave - and the NESCAC meet environment.

On that A relay that broke the school record was a young lady leading off by the name of Sara Daher.  We have an amazing group of men and women this year, who really embrace the John Wooden mentality of industriousness and enthusiasm that I hold dear to my heart, but all will agree no one works harder than Sara.  And no one pushes their teammates more - mostly through actions, but also with words of encouragement.  Sarah dropped 2 seconds off her LTB with a 1:52 leadoff time... which was also a school and pool record - and B-Cut.  She then jumped in and tried the 100 breast for the first time this season and broke the school and pool record there too! (1:06.3) It was so awesome to see.  Her swims were strong, controlled, and powerful.  She was in total control.  Well Done Sara!

Kogantor and Daher

Laugh Swim Float