Record-Breaking End to Washington College Swim Team Season

Teams Set Records in 2023 Centennial Conference Championships

Senior Gage Mandrell, standing atop the podium, won a share of the gold medal in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:48.09 and four medals overall.The men’s and women’s swim teams turned in 94 lifetime-best performances at last weekend’s Centennial Conference Championships. Among those, 37 were All-Time Top-10 performances in Washington College history, making swimmers in this event among the fastest to ever swim an event for Washington. 

In the end, there were 14 podium finishes among the teams and six medals earned. Three Washington College men's swimmers earned All-Centennial Conference honors based on their performances, the first time the Shoremen have had multiple individual all-conference members in one season since 2016.  

Senior Gage Mandrell earned first team honors in the 200 backstroke and honorable mention in the 200 freestyle and individual medley events. Sophomore Zach Affeldt attained second team in the 200 breaststroke and sophomore Chase Hensen received honorable mention in the 100 breaststroke. 

Head swim coach Philip Quick noted that Mandrell, the men’s team’s only senior, finished his season on a high note. 

“The top performer for the men had the performance of his career. Gage Mandrell took his swimming to another level this past weekend,” Quick said. “He snagged two bronze medals, broke three team records (200 IM, Free and Back), won a gold medal and conference title, broke a championship record, broke a conference record, and hit a time eligible for the national championships!" 

Affeldt was the other to achieve a time eligible for the national championships with a time of 2:02.22 in the 200 breaststroke. Final selections for the 2023 NCAA Division III Championships will be announced on Monday, February 27, at 8:00 p.m. The Championships will be held March 15-18 in Greensboro, N.C. 

As impressive as Affeldt’s and Mandrell’s weekends were, Quick emphasized the overall performance of the team, evidenced in all those individual best times. Even with such a record-setting weekend for the Washington College swimmers individually at the championships, held at Gettysburg College, the men’s team came in fifth overall and the Shorewomen finished sixth as a team, highlighting the strength of the conference overall. 

 “The men's team had a historic championship meet. They were also able to destroy some long-standing and impressive team records. The support the men's team showed for each other during some of the closest races of the championship made all the difference between a good and great time,” Quick said. “The women's team did exceptionally well in the face of one of the strongest Division III swimming conferences. Since it is a young team, the freshmen and sophomores stepped up into leadership roles, both time and morale-wise." 

Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Thad Moore pointed out that the teams have been excelling not just at the conference championships, but all year long. 

“I couldn't be prouder of our swimming teams and how they represented the College at our conference championships.  To see a conference record, numerous school records and best times was a great way for them to end the season,” Moore said. “On top of all their success in the pool, they continue to be just as successful in the classroom. For both teams to earn CSCAA Scholar All America is tremendous, and for the women to have third highest team G.P.A. for all of DIII is truly amazing." 

The Centennial Conference also announced its All-Sportsmanship Teams for men’s and women’s swimming this week. Freshman Liam Peregoy was the Shoremen representative on the team. Sophomore Courtney Poetsch is the Washington College women’s swimming team representative.  

Read more about individual swimmers’ successes on the championship meet successes of the men’s team and the women’s team on washcollsports.com and follow @washcollswimming.  

“I could not be prouder of this team. The conference championships were a huge display of character, grit, discipline, team comradery, and athletic performances.” 

— Philip Quick, head swim coach