CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The No. 16 Franklin & Marshall men's swimming team officially locked up the top spot in the Centennial Conference regular season standings on Saturday with a 188-73 win at Washington College. The Diplomats, who remain undefeated at 10-0 in overall dual competition, accomplished that feat in style as they broke seven Casey Swim Center pool records on their way to winning both relays and 11 of the 12 individual events contested against the Shoremen.
The relay of Alec Wahl, Tom Graminski, Brendan Cline, and Christopher Schiavone set new pool records in both the 200 yard medley relay (1:34.64) and the 400 yard freestyle relay (3:08.39) as that grouping started and finished the event in style during the first and last events.
Cline ended up being a part of five pool records on Saturday. In addition to being a part of the formidable relay, the F&M senior set three individual pool records during the meet as he captured the 50 freestyle (20.76) and 100 butterfly (50.75) races with pool record times. Cline's last relay performance was doubly impressive as his 100 yard freestyle split (46.32) was also a pool record.
Franklin & Marshall saw four different swimmers nab multiple individual titles. Schiavone won the 100 yard freestyle (46.68) and 200 yard freestyle (1:44.35), while Graminski secured wins in the 100 yard breaststroke (58.58) and 200 yard breaststroke (2:10.76). Both of those swimmers were also on the winning relays, giving them a hand in four race victories. Schiavone's time in the 100 yard freestyle win originally broke the pool record, only to be topped by Cline in the final event. Schiavone nearly got the record back as he split 46.34 during his leg of the final relay, which was just edged out by Cline's 46.32 split.
Willem Stoll also doubled down on his individual victories as he won the 200 yard butterfly (2:00.79) and 500 yard freestyle (4:56.71). Other individual winners for the Diplomats included Wahl (100 yard backstroke – 53.67), Jason Creed (1,000 yard freestyle – 10:10.52) and Evan Willertz (200 yard backstroke – 2:00.17).
Franklin & Marshall will next aim for its second consecutive undefeated season when the Diplomats conclude their regular season next Saturday, February 5 (1 p.m.) at The College of New Jersey. The Diplomats have now won 24 straight dual meets overall dating back to January 26, 2019.
Franklin & Marshall Event Champions
Brendan Cline
- 50 Yard Butterfly (20.76) – pool record
- 100 Yard Butterfly (50.75) – pool record
***Cline also set the pool record in the 100 Yard Freestyle (46.32) during his leg of the 400 Freestyle relay***
Christopher Schiavone
- 100 Yard Freestyle (46.68) – original pool record
- 200 Yard Freestyle (1:44.35) – pool record
Tom Graminski
- 100 Yard Breaststroke (58.58)
- 200 Yard Breaststroke (2:10.76)
Willem Stoll
- 200 Yard Butterfly (2:00.79)
- 500 Yard Freestyle (4:56.71)
Alec Wahl
- 100 Yard Backstroke (53.67)
Jason Creed
- 1000 Yard Freestyle (10:10.52)
Evan Willertz
- 200 Yard Breaststroke (2:00.17)
200 Yard Medley Relay – pool record
400 Yard Freestyle Relay – pool record
