Unstoppable Bullets Rip through Shoreman four to zero

An experienced team is a rare and coveted ideal. Throw in remarkable talent to the mix, and the outcome will likely resemble the Gettysburg College swim team.

On Saturday, the men’s and women’s team both struck down the Washington College Shoremen, team. marking the season’s first Centennial Conference win as well as the second consecutive season win.

As expected, the women’s team glided through their opponent winning 7/11 events in a 140-point to 65-point victory.

Lea Candelmo contributed to the women’s success taking home first in the 200-yard individu- al medley with a time of 2:15.39. After finishing last season off as the con- ference’s “Most Outstand- ing Rookie Performer” the sophomore returner’s future is looking quite bright.

“When I get up on that block I think let’s have fun and do this for my team,” Candelmo. “My goal this season is to make it to NCAA, last year I was 1 1⁄2 seconds off.”

The depth of the team, both young and experi- enced, was clear as nine dif- ferent swimmers contrib- uted to the first place finish in seven of the 11 events.

In the 400 free relay first-years Sydney Boswell and Caroline Moyer, sopho- more Alyssa Pepper and senior Ali Roth made up the relay team that grabbed the first place finish.

In the 400- yard free relay the Bullets dominated with a trio of consecutive touches led by Roth, Bo- swell, Moyer and junior Haley Weaver with a time of 3:49.85.

In the 200 fly, senior captain Logan Swisher earned a first place finish for the Bullets with a time of 2:18.56.

First-year Maddie Tulp clocked in at 2:15.78 with a win in the 200 back while sophomore Sam Foote wrapped up the decisive victory with a 56.17 time in the 100 free.

Any athlete will agree that the mark of a team’s success does not solely rely on individual merit; it takes leaders whom have learned from their experiences to share with and guide others along the way.

Candelmo was not hes- itant to give her captains credit,

“Our captains Logan Swisher, Ali Roth, and Em- ily Healey are never scared and just always have a tough face on,” Candelmo said. “They are so dedicated

all the time and show us how important it is to work hard and how you succeed from that.”

The men’s meet on the other hand, was quite a nail biter. The team came out a bit flatter than usual yet still managed to pull through with a 110.5-93.5 win.

The Bullets attained their first victory in the 400 medley relay. Senior Adam Weinbrom, junior Will Nelligan, junior Woody Griffiths and junior Stu Cubbison touched the wall in a combined effort of 3:39.94.

Junior Mike Harmon played a vital role in the team’s win with a trio of victories to his name. Indi- vidually, he finished first in the 50 free (21.89) as well as the 200 back (1:57.41).

“I try to pump myself up before every meet and do my best to make a posi- tive impact for the team,” Harmon said.

Harmon as well as All-American returners ju- nior Ashton Leyens, junior Jason Potter and senior Sean Staerk, diminished Washington College’s hope in their victory in the 400 free relay.

Up until that point, the meet was head to head, and although the Bullets still walked away with a vic- tory, the 6/11 meet win was not the outcome most were expecting.

“Our mentality for this meet was not quite as in- tense as the meets before but I think we learned our lesson,” Harmon said. “This was a wakeup call that we should take every meet seri- ously.”

Both teams this year contain a group of renowned and experienced swim- mers, such as Candelmo and Harmon, that have the capability to improve upon themselves, as well as lead the team to new levels of achievement.

“We are here to win,” Harmon said. “We are go- ing to do what we have to do to move up the standards this year.”