Video Highlights
WAYNE, N.J. – It was a good night for the William Paterson men's swimming and diving team, as its 77-38 victory against Division II Queens (0-4-1) gave the Pioneers (12-1) their most wins since the 2002-03 season as well as a seven-meet winning streak that dates back to Nov. 10 of 2017.
A well-rounded performance catalyzed the triumphant evening, as senior
Anthony Taboadela (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) won a trio of events to lead WP, and four more members of the Orange and Black brought home two wins apiece.
Taboadela's 27 individual points came from first-place times in the 200 IM (2:06.99), 200 back (2:15.36) and 200 breast (2:19.94), giving the Rockaway, N.J., native 36 solo victories this season. Classmate
Sammuel Melendez (West Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland) was among the quartet of double winners, touching first in the 200 fly (2:08.66) and 200 free (1:56.10), while also chipping in to secure the 200 free relay (1:39.50) alongside sophomores
Eamon Logue (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Twp.) and
Jimmy Sharkey (Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West) and junior
Drew Macchia (Chatham, N.J./Chatham).
Macchia garnered two event-best times of his own, reaching the touchpad ahead of the field in the 50 free (23.16) and 100 free (50.95). Sharkey outlasted his opponents to earn wins in the 1,000 free (11:22.21) and 500 free (5:41.36), barely edging the pursuant freshman teammate
Bradley Belina (Paramus, N.J. /Paramus)in the 500 free (5:43.05).
On the wings of his second New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Diver of the Week accolade, junior
William Barrett (Pompton Lakes, N.J. /Pompton Lakes ) added two more personal triumphs to his tally, notching wins in the one-meter voluntary (132.75) and one-meter optional (208.25) dives.
The Pioneers were also atop the other relay event, the 200 medley relay (1:54.84), as freshman
Thomas Haughey (Folsom, Pa. /Ridley), sophomre
Terrence Hopkins (Landing, N.J./Roxbury), and juniors
Kordian Starczyk and
Ryan Achyuthuni (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) secured the event.
This weekend WP will make the short trip to face NJAC rival Montclair State (5-3, 1-2 NJAC) Saturday, Jan. 27, at 1:00 p.m.
For all of the latest information on the Pioneers, visit
http://www.wpupioneers.com and
http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia.
