WEST CHESTER WINS 1st PSAC TITLE SINCE 1970
(courtesy of West Chester Sports Information)
WEST CHESTER, PA – The West Chester University men’s swimming team used three first-place finishes on the final day of competition to claim its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship since 1970.
WCU has won 12 Championships overall, but the first 11 occurred from 1959-70.
The event was hosted by West Chester University in its Graham Natatorium and concluded on Saturday, Feb. 20.
The Golden Rams used the victory in the 400 free relay by Brian Birnbrauer (Landsdale/Landsdale Catholic), Dan Markey (West Chester/Henderson), Sebastien Verstraet (France) and Todd Albert (Pottztown/O.J. Roberts) to clinch the title. The foursome posted a time of 3:07.22.
WCU’s Matt Matys (Boothwyn/Chichester) continued his domination at the PSAC’s, winning the 200 back (1:52.59), while Grant Clark (Malvern/Home Schooled) captured the 200 breast (2:06.46).
WCU posted 413.5 team points to finish ahead of Clarion (394.5) and Shippensburg (333).
Bloomsburg’s Dave Robinson (Collegeville/Methacton) won the 1650 free (16:36.05), while Shippensburg’s Marc Walter (Wyomissing/Wyomissing) took the 200 fly (1:57.05). Slippery Rock’s Matt McDonald (Trovo, NS/Cobequid) captured the 100 free (46.78).
“I am out of adrenaline,” WCu head coach Jamie Rudisill stated after the exhausting three-day meet. “I am spent. I am so happy for the guys. They seized the opportunity.”
West Chester had only 13 athletes entered in the competition. Teams were allowed to enter 18.
“They began calling themselves the Dirty Baker’s Dozen,” Rudisill said.
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FINAL TEAM SCORES
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Place
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School
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Points
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1
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West Chester
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413.5
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2
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Clarion
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394.5
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3
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Shippensburg
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333
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4
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Slippery Rock
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314
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5
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Indiana
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196
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6
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Kutztown
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176
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7
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Edinboro
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104
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8
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Bloomsburg
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80
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