Brunswick, Maine -  The Colby College Men's Swimming & Diving team won 13 out of 24 events and ran away with the Maine State title.  The Women's team also had a great showing, placing third out of seven teams and defeating the University of Maine, Orono for the first time.  

Out of the 13 victories, five belonged to John Connors.  He won the 50 yard freestyle, 100 yard freestyle, 200 yard freestyle, and took part in two winning relays.  Xander Geiersbach (photo right) won four events, placing first in 100 and 200 yard backstrokes and taking part in two relays.  Ryan Bedell won three events, taking the top step of the podium in the 500, 1000, and 1650 yard freestyle races.  Three of Connors' victories were meet records, including the 200 yard freestyle relay teaming up with Geiersback, Nate Cordick, and Shaun Kronenwetter.  The men's team had 29 podiums in the 24 event competition.  

"I am not sure I can actually put into words what this meet meant for our men's team," said head coach Tom Burton.  "It is the culmination of three years of development and growth for our team.  On the way back from the meet the seniors were all talking about the meet their freshman year when the highest place finish on the team was 14th in an individual event. Hard to imagine that three years later when they are seniors we set multiple meet records and go 1-2 in several events and even 1-2-3-4 in the 100 fly!" 

Addie Paige was the leading swimmer for the women, winning four events.  She took home the gold medal in the 500, 1000, and 1650 yard freestyle heats, as well as the 200 yard Butterfly.  First-year Monet Meyer (photo right) won her second 1 meter diving event of the year.  The women's team had 14 podiums in the 24 event competition.  

"The women were just as impressive!" continued Burton.  "Today was the best finish the women have had at the Mane State Meet. Overall, the most impressive aspect of this weekend's meet is how much faster we swam this year than last year for those returners.  I think we are on pace to have a more successful championship season than last year and several of our swimmers, men and women, are on pace to qualify for the NCAA Championships.  I am excited to see what we can achieve as the season moves forward."  

The Swimming & Diving teams return to action after the New Year at Fairfield State on January 3rd.  

 RESULTS