Seniors Kevin Falkenstein, Val Fomenko and Estebe Salgado gave the home crowd something to cheer about on Senior Day, leading the AU men's swimming and diving team to a convincing victory over Georgetown.
The Eagles won all 11 swimming events Saturday afternoon at Frailey Pool. The women's team won five events, but lost the overall competition to the Hoyas.
Prior to the swimming portion of the meet, there was a short ceremony for the three seniors who were to compete for the final time at home. After the team showed its appreciation for the departing members, the competition resumed quickly.
Falkenstein and Salgado got the men's team off to a good start, helping AU to a six-second victory in the 400-yard medley relay. After that victory, the men's team never looked back, soundly winning most of the events by several seconds.
In total, Fomenko and Salgado each took first place in three events. Salgado won both the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events and was a part of 400-medley relay team. Fomenko won the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly, then closed out the day with a victory in the 400-yard freestyle relay.
In addition to the 400-yard medley relay, Falkenstein won a close race in the 100-yard backstroke, finishing less than half a second ahead of Georgetown's Goran Bistric. He also took second place in the 200-yard individual medley.
But the seniors were not the only contributors to AU's victory, as junior Stephen Brennan also won three events. He was victorious in the 100-yard backstroke and the 500-yard freestyle, and he defeated Falkenstein by three seconds in the 200-yard individual medley.
Junior Dan Nagelberg won the other individual event for the Eagles, taking the 1,000-yard freestyle by almost four seconds. Nagelberg also swam the anchor leg for the 400-yard freestyle relay.
The women's team also started out well, taking an early lead in the 400-yard medley relay. However, the team eventually lost the top spot and fell behind to finish second.
The women's team was led by sophomore Meghan Thiel, who dominated all three freestyle events, including an impressive 48-second victory in the 1,000-yard freestyle. She also took first in the 500- and 200-yard freestyles.
Junior Kaitlin Moughty won the other two events for AU.
