Splashing into the Finale: Swimming & Diving’s Last Home Showdown of the Season!

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Towson University swimming & diving teams are set to host the last two home dual meet competitions of the season this week. The Tigers will compete against Howard on Wednesday, January 15, and will face Drexel for a Coastal Athletic Association showdown on Saturday, January 18. Both events will commence with diving at 10:00 a.m., followed by the swimming competitions.
 

The meet on January 18 against Drexel will celebrate senior day for the Black & Gold. Graduate athletes Martina Ciriesi, Tiffany Matulis, TJ Bearor, and Luke Schwar, along with seniors Bella Brennan, Laura Gaffney, Marissa Kleckner, Abby O’Leary, Claire Ryland, Bridget Thomas, Tink Tompkins, Kirill Pankov, Blakely Dean, and Carson Bauer will be recognized at Burdick Pool at noon following the diving events, with the swimming events occurring afterward.
 
Analyzing the Rivals:
The Howard men’s swimming and diving team has a 1-2 record in dual meets this season and secured second place at the NJIT Invitational. The Bison triumphed in their latest dual meet against Mount St. Mary’s with a score of 169-92. The Howard women’s team, which achieved a second-place finish at the NEC Championships last season, also stands at 1-2 in dual meets and finished second at the NJIT Invitational.
 
Drexel’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams both boast 4-0 records in dual meets this season, entering Saturday’s competition following a sweep against Delaware on January 11. The Dragons are the only CAA teams that remain unbeaten in dual meets so far this season.
 
Looking Ahead This Season:
The Towson women have just come off a fifth-place finish in the CAA Championships last season. Shannon Parrau achieved fourth place in the 1-meter dive with a score of 256.15, while Bridget Thomas placed fifth in the 1650 freestyle, and Laura Gaffney secured fifth in the 200 breaststroke. This season, eleven newcomers have joined 20 returning members on the 2024-2025 roster.
 
The men begin this season after placing third in the CAA Championships for the second consecutive year. Sean Colson finished in fourth place with a Towson record time of 1:44.31 in the 200 backstroke, and Luke Schwar took fifth in the 100 freestyle. Sophomore Stephen McDonald ended fifth in the 1650 freestyle as a freshman. Seven newcomers will join the 2024-2025 roster along with 16 returning athletes.
 
Oh Captain My Captains:
Third-year head coach Anthony Bruno has appointed the captains for the 2024-2025 season.
 
Women’s captains: Bella Brennan and Bridget Thomas
Men’s captains: Luke Schwar and Carson Bauer