This past weekend, the St. Bonaventure Men’s swim and dive team defeated Little Three rival Canisius, 150-87. The Bonnies won seven out of 13 total events to secure the win at home.
The Bonnies had wins from David Shakhazarov (50-freestyle, 21.18), Tjaard Krusch (200-IM, 1:55.76), Nick Burdo (100-Freestyle, 47.14) and Matthew Bielobradek (one-meter dive, 262.65, and three-meter dive, 279).
Canisius did not have a men’s diving team. Three Bonnies, Bielobradek, Michael Bruno, Austin Campbell, had to dive by themselves.
Bruno improved his three-meter dive from last year’s match against Canisius. This year, he posted a score of 276.525, improving from his 257.93 score from a year ago.
“I thought everyone dove really well. The three guys we have on the team are all very similar skill wise, so they had a competition within themselves, even without no Canisius divers,” Stephanie Fleming, the men’s and women’s diving coach, said.
Matthew Bielobradek won both of his events, the one-meter dive and the three-meter dive. After missing time with a busted ear drum, Bielobradek has returned to action.
Bielobradek also improved his score from last years meet against Canisius, posting a 279 score this year after posting a 265.28 a year ago.
“I’ve been doing pretty well with the limited amount of training I’ve had, but I’m optimistic on how I’m going to finish this year,” Bielobradek said.
Fleming said Bielobradek’s work ethic is leading him to becoming the school’s top diver.
“He’s really focused this year. He’s been working a lot harder in the weight room and on his own time,” Fleming said.
“He’s working hard, even when he was out with an injury, was a “true testament to the focus and work ethic he’s been putting in this year,” Fleming added.
By Tom Seipp, Staff Writer
seipptw19@bonaventure.edu
