The New York University swim team hosted its final home meet of the season on February 21, holding the NYU Winter Invitational at the Palladium Natatorium. The event served as a “last chance” meet for swimmers to improve their times ahead of postseason competition. Teams from Adelphi University, Baruch College, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), the University of Bridgeport, and Pace University participated in the invitational.
The morning session featured timed finals, while time trials took place later in the day. No team scores were kept during this meet.
Bryan Manheimer led NYU in the 50 freestyle with a time of 21.40 seconds. Kyle Bitz improved his previous best by one second and finished close behind at 22.17 seconds.
In the women’s 400 individual medley, Sophie Cox swam solo for NYU and posted a time of 4:34.64. Kenny Meyer placed second in the men’s race with a time of 4:13.18.
NYU’s Andrea Wu and Alia Saba finished first and second respectively in the women’s 100 butterfly, with times of 56.75 and 58.34 seconds. Leo Han won the men’s event in that discipline with a time of 47.72 seconds.
The Violets secured the top four places in the men’s 100 breaststroke; Victor Derani led at 54.98 seconds followed by Conner Dean at 56.09 seconds.
Ainsley Taylor represented NYU in the women’s 100 backstroke with a finish of 1:00.25, while Adam Mekrami reduced his entry time by three seconds to finish his heat at 52.97 seconds.
Kate Steinmeier (2:20.86) and Matthew King (2:06.36) posted winning times in their respective heats for the 200 breaststroke.
Bethany Spangler led NYU women in the mile swim (17:15.92), while Evan Jue was fastest among men (15:40.50).
During evening time trials, Han won again—this time posting a faster mark of 20.96 seconds in another round of the men’s 50 freestyle.
Wu returned to swim a time trial in the women’s 200 butterfly, finishing at 2:09.97.
With this invitational concluded, NYU swimmers will now turn their attention to NCAA postseason events starting with Regional Diving Championships from February 27-28 before heading to Division III National Championships scheduled for March 18-22.
