Photo: St. Bonaventure Athletics
BY NATHAN DONNELLY, SPORTS WRITER
The St. Bonaventure men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams defeated Little Three rival Canisius at the Reilly Center this past Saturday.
Honored before the meet were the seniors of both teams, with eight senior men and six senior women.
Receiving recognition on the men’s side were graduating athletes Tanner Falls, Kyle Gluck, Jaxon Kaster, Teddy Murphey, Maxwell Murray, Michael Pietrucha, Zachary Titus, and Tommy White.
On the women’s team, Silvana Cabrera, Madelyn Green, Paige Kasemsuwannakaeth, Kylie McKee, Maggie Metcalf, and Amy O’Rourke were honored.
The Bonnies men’s team won 189-105, with three podium sweeps in the 50, 100 and 500-meter freestyles.
First-year student Carlos Hidalgo played a pivotal role in the trifecta of podium sweeps, finishing third in the 50-freestyle at 21.41 seconds. He also placed third in the 100-freestyle. Additionally, he was a member of the winning team in the 200-medley relay.
“In the second half he [Hidalgo] has looked better and better,” said Bonaventure’s head swimming and diving coach Mike Smiechowski. “Hopefully he’s going to be someone that can compete in a couple of events in the A-10 finals for us.”
Senior Kyle Gluck finished just ahead of Hidalgo in the 50-freestyle with a time of 20.99.
“The leadership of the team really comes from the seniors who are not necessarily at the podium level,” said Smiechowski. “For most seniors, having graduate transfers that have not been in the program during the thick of it is hard to embrace. But they have done so, and that is a testament to them.”
The women’s swimming and diving team performed four podium sweeps over the Golden Griffins on Saturday.
Two of the sweeps came from junior duo Halle Meyers and Ellie Kraus, along with senior Amy O’Rourke continuing her special day by participating in the two sweeps with the juniors.
“The real test is the A-10s,” said Smiechowski. “Having an A-10 competitive women’s team is something that this university has sought for a while, and we have set ourselves up for success in the coming years.”
Next on the agenda, Bona travels to Pittsburgh, where the women’s team will compete against familiar Atlantic 10 foe Duquesne, while the men’s team will face PSAC school Clarion in an exhibition matchup.
“It’s really just an opportunity to get some races in with no score kept for the men,” said Smiechowski. “They will be prepping and making last-minute adjustments for the A-10 Championships.”
The Bonnies women’s swim and dive have not faced Duquesne since October of 2021.
“It is going to be an exciting opportunity to go down there for sure,” said Smiechowski.
Following this matchup on Feb. 3, the A-10 Championships takes place Feb. 21-24 at the Hampton Virginia AquaComplex in Hampton, VA.
donnelnp23@bonaventure.edu
