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LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Swimming & Diving is set to kick off its home competition schedule at the prestigious Goodall Pool, located within the VMI Aquatic Center, on Saturday afternoon. The Keydets will host Mount St. Mary’s in an exciting dual meet that promises thrilling races and strong competition.
In their season opener at Davidson, the men’s team showcased impressive performances, particularly from the freshmen. Jack Mills made waves by breaking both the Rat and team records in the 200 butterfly, following that up with a remarkable first-place finish in the 200 IM. Stephen Russell, Aubrey Struder, and Sam Calder all delivered strong showings by securing top-five finishes, with all four freshmen also breaking into VMI’s top-10 times for their respective events.
The VMI 4×100 freestyle relay team, featuring Matthew Picard, Sam Castle, Calder, and Mills, clinched a first-place finish, further solidifying the team’s strong start to the season. Additionally, Picard and Castle earned podium placements in their individual events, while Lane Jones impressively secured a pair of second-place finishes on the diving boards.
On the women’s side, Emerson Cosner led the charge in the pool, triumphantly setting both the team and Rat records in the 200 butterfly, exemplifying her extraordinary skill. Mackenzie Byrne also had a noteworthy performance, capturing a fifth-place finish in the competitive 100 freestyle and sixth in the 100 butterfly, while Valerie Tonnu secured a respectable sixth-place finish in the challenging 1,000 freestyle. Byrne and Cosner not only performed exceptionally but also recorded times that entered the VMI top 10 list.
The last encounter between the Keydets and the Mountaineers on VMI’s home turf took place in 2022, when the men triumphed with a close score of 153-145. The women’s team, in that meet, achieved their highest point total against an NCAA Division I opponent during that season.
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**Interview with VMI Swimming & Diving Head Coach**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Coach. The VMI Swimming & Diving team is gearing up for their first home competition against Mount St. Mary’s. How does it feel to be back in the Goodall Pool?
**Coach:** It’s always exciting to compete at home, especially at such a fantastic venue like the Goodall Pool. Our athletes have been training hard, and there’s a unique energy when you’re swimming in familiar waters with supportive fans in the stands.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the team’s season opener at Davidson. How do you feel about the performances there, particularly from the freshmen?
**Coach:** I’m incredibly proud of our freshmen. Jack Mills, in particular, showed remarkable talent by breaking both the Rat and team records in the 200 butterfly. It speaks volumes about the depth of our program and the potential of our incoming athletes.
**Interviewer:** Facing Mount St. Mary’s should present a compelling challenge. What are your expectations for the dual meet?
**Coach:** We’re expecting a competitive meet. Mount St. Mary’s has a strong program, and it will be a good test for our team. I’m looking forward to seeing how our athletes build on the momentum from Davidson and respond to the pressure of competing at home.
**Interviewer:** Any key players or races we should keep an eye on during the meet?
**Coach:** Besides Jack Mills, I’d keep an eye on our relay teams. They often bring out the best in our swimmers and can dramatically shift the meet’s momentum. It’ll be interesting to see how everyone performs under the spotlight.
**Interviewer:** what’s the message you want to send to VMI fans and supporters?
**Coach:** We appreciate all the support we get from our fans. We invite everyone to come out and cheer for our Keydets this Saturday. Your presence makes a difference, and we’re excited to showcase our talents at home!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach! Best of luck in the meet!
**Coach:** Thank you! Go Keydets!
