The Brandeis swimming team has struggled to perform at its potential, losing four of its most recent meets, three of which were at the University of Rochester Invitational Friday through Saturday 10/22-23, where they lost to the University of Rochester twice and once to Division I Canisius College. Additionally, the week before, the Judges lost a tough meet to Wheaton College (Waltham MA) on Saturday Oct. 15, the men’s squad losing 157-131 and the women, 185-102. Despite disappointing team results, several Judges were able to individually swim magnificently. Tamir Zitelny ’20, in just his first week of competition, even managed to win the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association Male Swimmer of the Week, an honorable award, especially for a rookie’s first week of play.

At the Rochester Invitational on Friday Oct. 21, the men’s squad was dealt a tough loss against Rochester 82-183. The overall team performance was not enough, but several individuals swam quite well. Tamir Zitelny, for example, finished his second ever meet with three second place finishes: the 100 fly (54.05 seconds), the 100 Individual Medley (56.88 seconds) and leading off the 200 medley relay. Tamir Zitelny’s brother, Edan Zitelny ’17, Sam Zucker ’18 and Noah Ayers ’20 each finished second in 100 back and 50 fly, the one and three meter board (diving) and the 500 free, respectively.

The women’s side also did not race up to par against the Yellow Jackets, losing 62-213. Kylie Herman ’19 had two second place races in the 100 free (56.72 seconds) and the 200 free (2:00.80). Natalya Wozab ’20 dominated the breaststroke category, finishing second (34.05 seconds) for the 50, and 2nd (1:13.81) for the 100. Hwanee Park ’20 finished second overall for the 50 fly in 28.04 seconds.

On Saturday, the men played Rochester, losing 87-194, and Canisius College, also losing 58-238. Tamir Zitelny continued to perform well, finishing second in the 100 butterfly (53.30 seconds), the 200 fly (2:00.86) and the 200 backstroke (2:01.30). Taku Harada ’18 finished third for 200 freestyle (1:52.70). Canisius College also raced an impressive race, with junior Dan Dirrigl finishing first for the 200 butterfly (1:27.02 seconds) and senior Cameron MacDonald finishing first for men’s 50 freestyle (21.97 seconds).

Unfortunately, the women were unable to pick up the slack of the men’s squad, like the men, losing both of Saturday’s meets (62-227 vs. Rochester and 56-233 vs. Canisius.) Herman had three top four performances, finishing third in the 200 freestyle (2:02.01) and third in the 400 individual medley (4:54:73).

The week before, at their first home meet versus the Wheaton College Lyons, the Judges unfortunately lost to the Lyons on both the men’s and women’s sides.  However, Brandeis’ individual swimmers once again proved to be quite dominant. For the men, Tamir Zitelny raced his debut competition, a beyond stellar first performance. He won three events: the 100 backstroke (53.86), the 100 butterfly (53.29) and the 200 individual medley (2:21.69.). Edan Zitelny took home gold for the 200 butterfly (2:05.96). Zach Diamond ’18 won the 1000 freestyle (10:43.75) and Ayers in his first collegiate race was able to win 500 free (5:09.31).

On the women’s side, Herman was able to win three events as well. She won two freestyle races (200 – 2:01.31, 500 – 5:28.12) and the 200 butterfly (2:21.98). Wozab won the 200 IM at 2:21.68.