2021 CAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- POSTPONED TO: Monday, March 29 – Friday, April 2, 2021
- Diving Friday, March 26 – Saturday, March 27, 2021
- Swimming: Christiansburg Aquatic Center, Christiansburg, VA (Eastern Time Zone)
- Diving: Rawstrom Natatorium, – Newark, DE (Eastern Time Zone)
- Defending Champion: William & Mary men (6x) & James Madison women (3x) (results)
- Live results (also on Meet Mobile – ‘2021 Colonial Conference Championships’)
- Live Video
- Championship Central
The Towson Tigers pulled into a sizable lead after day two of three of the CAA Men’s Championships, the night highlighted by freshman Brian Benzing‘s CAA record in the 100 breast.
In the 100 breast prelims, Benzing became the first CAA swimmer in history to break 53 seconds in the event, going a lifetime best 52.64. The freshman pushed that further tonight, re-breaking the conference record with a 52.57. The NCAA Championships have already happened, with this meet pushed to after the national meet, but his time tonight is only .17 off of the last invited swimmer to NCAAs in the event.
Towson also charged in the 200 free, going 1-2 with a win from Ryan Baldino at 1:37.07, followed by his teammate Michael Fazio (1:38.13).
UNC-Wilmington had a big night, too, winning two individuals and taking the 200 medley relay (1:26.65). Gianmichel D’Alessandro was 23.68 on the breast leg of the Seahawks’ relay, while Henderson Louviere was 20.92 on the fly leg, both field-bests.
Louviere was one of the Seahawks’ individual champs tonight, clocking a 3:53.31 in a dominant showing in the 400 IM. His time was a good five seconds ahead of anyone else. Will Goldey, who was 22.43 leading off their winning medley relay, added a win in the 100 back with a 48.25, just edging out William & Mary’s Jake Kealy (48.47).
The other individual winner tonight was Drexel junior Paris Raptis, who set a personal best 47.10 to take the 100 fly, just .09 off of the CAA record. Raptis could complete the butterfly sweep in the 200 tomorrow; he’s the reigning conference champ in the longer fly event.
Benzing returned to lead off Towson’s winning 800 free relay (1:38.37), with Fazio (1:37.88) and Baldino (1:38.28) also putting up strong splits for the Tigers. Towson is well on their way to a CAA title, ready to snap the W&M six-year streak, while Delaware, Drexel and W&M are locked in a heated battle for third.
TEAM SCORES – Day Two
- Towson – 601.5
- UNC-Wilmington – 479
- Delaware – 340
- Drexel – 337
- William & Mary – 328.5
“Paris Raptis, who set a personal best 47.10 to take the 100 fly, just .09 off of the CAA record.”
That’s a great swim for sure, but the CAA record is 45.51, set by Towson’s Jack Saunderson in 2018.
Very impressive swimming by Benzing. Towson is about to win their first Men’s team title! Congrats!
UNCW is competing with 11 guys and 2 divers. They are hanging tough in 2nd. Guntoro is doing something right with these men.
Let’s Goo
Is 52.57 good for a freshman at a mid-major? Asking for a friend.
It’s not bad even for power five
Absolutely monster swim for a freshman. Towson keeps churning out top tier talent
Aaaaandddd live results still from the age group meet… Congrats though Brian and the Tigers!
If this was happening with a power 5 conference championship meet, I wonder if swimswam would still be knowingly posting the wrong link instead of contacting the conference for the right one?
Jesus do y’all ever stop whining? Grow up.