Polyakov sets record for WCU

Victor Polyakov set a conference, pool and meet record in the 200-yard Individual Medley and then helped the 200medley relay do the same on day one of the PSAC Men’s Swimming Championships.

Victor Polyakov set a conference, pool and meet record by winning the 200yard Individual Medley and then helped the 200 medley relay accomplish the same feat as West Chester opened defense of its team title with a lead after day one of the PSAC Men’s Swimming Championships in the York YMCA Graham Aquatic Center on Thursday evening.

West Chester accumulated 233 points thru four events and holds a lead over second-place Bloomsburg, which amassed 175.5 points. Indiana (Pa.) is third with 58 and Edinboro and Clarion right behind with 54 and 51, respectively. Gannon is sixth with 49 points and Shippensburg is seventh with 34.5 points.

Polyakov pulled off the upset of the meet by defeating Bloomsburg’s Jake Harner in the 200 IM. Harner, who had topped Polyakov’s conference record during the middle of the season, entered the championships as the favorite to take the top spot. However, the junior was up to the challenge, posting a winning time of 1 minute, 46.48 seconds that broke Harner’s PSAC record and shattered his very own meet and pool record. Harner was runner-up in 1:48.81. West Chester’s Thomas McCormick placed third with a time of 1:49.89, and Michael Oliver placed fourth in 1:50.31.

Polyakov ended day one leading off the 200 medley relay team that also broke the PSAC, the pool and the meet record with a time of 1:29.24. McCormick, Luke Maguire and Evan Sherkness made up the rest of the record-setting team.

Bradley Strathmeyer opened the championships with a first-place showing in the 1000 free. He posted a time of 9:18.09 in his hometown pool. Conor Forlini) was second in 9:23.39, while Eric Long was fifth (9:31.91) and Geoff Boodey was sixth (9:35.84). third-year swimmer. Teammate Dani Barron was second to Hayward in a time of 10:12.85 as she opened her fourth and final PSAC Championship meet.

Morgan Haney placed third in the 50 free with a time of 23.75 seconds. Emily Stang was fourth in 23.81.