Union College Women’s Swimming & Diving Shines at Quad-Meet

The Union College women’s swimming and diving team put on a show at their recent quad meet at the Alumni Gym Pool in Schenectady, NY. Facing Clarkson, St. Lawrence, and Smith, the Garnet Chargers came away with wins over two of their rivals.

First-year swimmer Julia Garber made headlines by setting a new pool record. Her performance really highlighted just how much depth and raw talent this team has.

Union College’s Dominant Performance

Union’s women’s swimming and diving team showed off their competitive edge, notching big victories over Clarkson and St. Lawrence. They outscored Clarkson 182-85 and St. Lawrence 162-80.

Smith proved a tough opponent, and Union fell short with a score of 180-95. Still, several swimmers stood out and helped drive Union’s overall success in the meet.

Record-Breaking Swim by Julia Garber

First-year swimmer Julia Garber broke the pool record in the 100 individual medley, clocking in at 1:04.95. That’s not just a personal best—it’s a statement.

She also grabbed second place in the 100 fly with a time of 1:02.85. Garber’s versatility and skill are already making a mark on the team.

High-Point Swimmer Ali Sweeney

Ali Sweeney, another first-year, was Union’s high-point swimmer of the meet. She took first in both the 50 breaststroke (34.11) and the 100 breaststroke (1:14.42).

Sweeney also played a key role in the 200 medley relay, helping Union finish third with a time of 1:58.95. Her consistency is tough to miss.

Relay Team Success

Union’s relay teams kept the momentum going, grabbing top-three finishes in several events. The 200 medley relay team—Sweeney, Garber, junior Jess Konsky, and first-year Lucia Lazarus—landed third place with a time of 1:58.95.

The 200 freestyle relay squad, featuring first-year Maggie Reale, Lazarus, first-year Mya Schattin, and junior Chloe Matthews, earned second place at 1:47.20. These relays really show off the team’s depth.

Individual Standouts

Maggie Reale made her mark too, finishing second in both the 50 freestyle (26.67) and the 200 freestyle (2:10.03). She’s got both speed and endurance, which isn’t easy to find.

In another relay, junior Sarah Ramirez, Konsky, Garber, and senior Alison Silver finished just behind Union’s A relay team in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:49.68. That’s a close finish and speaks to the team’s overall depth.

Upcoming Meets and Expectations

The Garnet Chargers will host their next meet at Alumni Gym Pool on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 1 p.m. They’ll go up against Roberts Wesleyan and Westfield State.

Union aims to build on their recent success and keep pushing forward as the season rolls on. There’s a sense of excitement—and maybe a bit of nervous energy—as they look ahead.

Training and Preparation

Union’s swimmers have been grinding through tough training sessions to sharpen their skills and boost endurance. The coaches have mixed up the workouts—endurance, technique, even strength training gets thrown in.

This approach seems to be working. Swimmers are hitting personal bests, and new records are falling. The coaching staff believes this level of effort will keep paying off as the season continues.

Support from the Union College Community

The Union College community’s support really matters. Fans, families, and students have been there, cheering at every meet.

That kind of encouragement lifts the team’s spirits and pushes them to compete even harder. It’s hard to overstate how much that backing means to these athletes.

Building a Legacy

The Union College women’s swimming and diving team wants to build a real legacy of excellence. Their roster is stacked with talented swimmers. They’ve got a coaching staff that’s all in, too.