Robin Glynn – General Assignment Reporter –
For Raymond Cswerko, going from a Division I to a Division II school and earning Swimmer of the Week is an honor, but he is competing in a sport that he loves.
“I wanted to be a part of a Division I school,” said Cswerko.
He said that the swimming program was cut at the University of Maryland and he decided to transfer to Southern, which is a Division II school.
“The program is better here,” said Cswerko.
Cswerko has swam well for the Owls, winning numerous awards this season.
This season, Cswerko earned Northeast-10 Conference Swimmer of the Week five times.
“He works hard every day,” said Matthew Demirs, Cswerko’s teammate. “It is well deserved.”
According to the Athletic Department website, Cswerko took a first place mark in the 200 Individual Medley and helped lead the Owls on day one of the Rutgers Invitational in October. On day two, Cswerko finished the day with two first place marks in the 200 butterfly and the 400 IM and finished with a fifth place mark in the 200 backstroke. He won the 200 fly in 1:58.48 and the 400 IM in 4:09.81. Cswerko also took fifth in the 200 backstroke in 2:05.07.
Cswerko was given the Northeast-10 Conference weekly award for his performance at the Rutgers Invitational. Next, Cswerko finished with three first-place marks against College of Saint Rose, leading the swim team winning 148 to 140. Cswerko took first in the 100 yard freestyle with 47.54, the 200 breaststroke with 2:15.87 and the 100 butterfly with 51.83.
In November, the swim team lost to Yale University with 235-59. Cswerko finished with a first, second and third-place mark; even with the team losing. He finished first in the 200 yard breaststroke in 2:09.27, second in the 200 yard IM in 1:55.14 and third in the 200 yard freestyle in 1:44.41.
In December, Cswerko had four first-place finishes to help lead the Southern Connecticut State University Men’s Swimming and Diving team at the Pace Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
Cswerko placed first in the 400 yard IM in 4:16.26, first in the 50 yard freestyle in 22.10, first in the 100 yard freestyle in 48.68 and took his fourth first-place mark in the 100 yard butterfly in 52.96.
Last week, Cswerko was named Northeast-10 Conference Men’s Swimming Athlete of the Week. Cswerko took home five first-place finishes in two meets against Marist and Connecticut College. He finished first in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 1:46.05, the 100 yard freestyle with 48.52 and the 100 yard butterfly with 52.59 against Marist. Cswerko went on to finish first in the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke, finishing with 57.69 and 2:10.72.
At the Pace Invitational in December, Cswerko took home four first-place marks in the second day at the event. He finished first in the 400 yard IM with 4:16.26, the 50 yard freestyle with 22.10, the 100 yard freestyle with 48.68 and earned his fourth first-place mark in the 100 yard butterfly with 52.96.
“He doesn’t take talent for granted,” said Demirs.
Cswerko began swimming with a club. This summer will be his 13th summer. Cswerko is from Torrington and swam for Torrington High School. He’s is a four-time All-American selection at Torrington (Conn.) High School and Athlete of the Year in 2011. He holds six team records and has helped his team to runner up at the Naugatuck Valley League Championships. Cswerko became team captain in his senior year at Torrington High School.
“I enjoy being at camp and getting better every meet,” said Cswerko. “I get to meet a lot of people.”
