George Washington University Athletics
GW Swimming and Diving Set for Magnus Cup Invitational
11/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
| George Washington at Magnus Cup Invitational | |
| Date | Fri, Nov. 19 - Sun, Nov. 22 |
| Time | Preliminaries: 9:00 a.m. Finals: 5:00 p.m. (Fri/Sat) 3 p.m. (Sun) |
| Location | Cleveland State University | Busbey Natatorium 2452 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio |
| Tickets (All-Session/Day) | Adult: $15 / $7 Senior Citizen/Kids: $10 / $5 |
| Follow | Live Results via Meet Mobile |
WASHINGTON - George Washington swimming and diving returns to the pool at the three-day Magnus Cup Invitational hosted by Cleveland State at Busbey Natatorium beginning on Friday.
In addition to the host Vikings, the Colonials will compete against Akron, Cumberlands, Duquesne, Notre Dame College, Saginaw, St. Francis (Pa.), Xavier and Youngstown State in the 48-event meet.
The Buff and Blue take on a strong field of competition, including defending MAC champion Akron on the women's side and reigning Big East champion Xavier on the men's side. A year ago, host Cleveland State took the men's crown, while Duquesne earned the Magnus Cup on the women's side.
Preliminary events will begin each day at 9 a.m., with finals starting at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The 1,650-yd freestyle and relay events will be timed finals only.
GW's men's team enters the weekend with a 1-2 record. Freshman Josh Monacelli has posted a strong fall campaign, twice earning A-10 Rookie of the Week honors. Heading into the Magnus Cup Invitational, Monacelli ranks within the top-five among competitors in the 50-yard breaststroke (5th), 200-yard breaststroke (5th), and 200-yard butterfly (3rd) events.
"I'm excited for our men to return to competition at this season's Magnus Cup Invitational," said head coach James Winchester. "The format of the meet suits us very well, with the traditional championship lineup as well as the 50's of stroke and the 100 IM. It will be a battle, with our team among the top in the field, and I look forward to a lot of close racing."
Sophomore Gustav Hokfelt also ranks within the top-five in a trio of events leading into Friday: the 100-yard backstroke (4th), the 100-yard individual medley (5th) and the 200-yard backstroke (5th).
Junior Bogdan Balteanu owns two top-five seed times prior to the Magnus Cup Invitational - in the 100-yard IM (4th) and 100-yard freestyle (3rd). Sophomore Connor Hart (1,650-yard freestyle, 5th), junior Ben Fitch (50-yard freestyle, 3rd), and senior Oliver Keegan (200-yard butterfly, 4th) round out GW's best positions before Friday's competition.
"Our top guys will have a chance to win some individual races," said Coach Winchester. "While our depth and younger guys will also get a shot to make it back for finals. For our young team, this is a great opportunity to learn how to manage and thrive within a championship environment."
GW's women enter the meet with a 1-2 mark on the season, as freshman Emily Zhang has posted a strong start to her career, grabbing A-10 Rookie of the Week honors after her performance at the Colonials' home opener on Nov. 7. Zhang owns the conference's top time in the 200-yard IM (2:06.42) and leads the field heading into the Magnus Cup Invitational. The rookie also ranks among the top-five participants in the 400 IM (2nd), 50-yard breaststroke (5th) and 100 breast (5th).
"Our women are excited to be heading into what will be a very hotly contested Magnus Cup Invitational," said Coach Winchester. "With 10 women's programs competing, it'll be a good litmus test to see how we will perform come A-10 Championships."
Sophomore Abigail Fusco also sits among the strongest swimmers at the meet, ranking third in the 50- and 100-yard backstroke events and sitting fifth in the 100-yard freestyle. Junior Lauren Law and freshman Lucy Castro round out the women's top seedings at third in the 400-yard individual medley and fifth in the 500-yard freestyle, respectively.
"With Duquesne winning this meet last year and returning, and defending MAC champion Akron in the meet, we'll definitely have our hands full," said Coach Winchester. "We have a shot at some individual event titles as well as going after some school records, and I know the team is excited for the challenge."
Sophomore Iman Lee and freshman Miranda Simon will compete for the women in the 1- and 3-meter diving events.
Fans can follow along with live results during the Magnus Cup Invitational through the Meet Mobile app.
Schedule of Events:
Friday:
1:00 p.m.: Women's 1M / Men's 3M Diving
5:00 p.m.: 200 Free Relay, 50 Breast, 500 Free, 200 IM, 50 Free, 400 Medley Relay
Saturday:
1:00 p.m.: Women's 3M / Men's 1M Diving
5:00 p.m.: 200 Medley Relay, 400 IM, 100 Fly, 200 Free, 100 Breast, 100 Back, 800 Free
Sunday:
3:00 p.m.: 1650 Free (Fast heat only), 100 IM, 50 Fly, 200 Back, 100 Free, 200 Breast, 50 Back, 200 Fly, 400 Free Relay
Players Mentioned
