CU Swimming & Diving Preview - at Don Richards Invitational (12/5-6)

Melissa Cartier

Swimming/Diving | 12/4/2025 11:44:00 AM

Two weeks ago, the Clarkson University Swimming & Diving teams posted runner-up finishes at the North Country Invitational and the Golden Knights will be seeking similar events when they head to RIT to compete in the annual Don Richards Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

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The Invitational: This will be the eighth time that Clarkson competes at the Don Richards Invitational since the Liberty League Championships were pushed from early December to February nearly a decade ago. Last year, Clarkson's men finished in third place out of seven squads with 616 points, right around their normal average of 646.7 points produced since 2017. Clarkson's women were also nearly at the average, scoring 364 points, just shy of the 367.1 average in seven tries. Clarkson's men have finished as runner-up four times at RIT, the most recent occurring in 2021, while the women's high-water mark is third place, also occurring in 2021.

The Men: The Golden Knights' best performers from last year's Don Richards Invite have graduated, but several other standouts have returned for another try in Rochester. Andrew Sammons placed fifth in the 200 breaststroke (2:10.90) and sixth in the 100 breaststroke (59.60) while Casey Everett was third in the 1650 freestyle (16:52.78) and fourth in the 500 freestyle (4:46.87). Gavin Stuhler had a pair of top-six finishes in the 50 freestyle (21.70) and 200 freestyle (1:46.32) and Mason Cartier placed fifth in the 100 backstroke (54.74). Owen White also took fifth in the 400 individual medley (4:22.93) a year ago.

The Women: Sophomore Aurora Zary notched two top-10 finishes on day two of the Don Richards Invitational in 2024, placing fourth in the 200 backstroke (2:13.79) and ninth in the 100 backstroke (1:03.56). Fiona Reilly was in the top six for three events, including two on day two, placing sixth in the 200 individual medley on Friday (2;15.24) and then fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 200 and 100 breaststroke events. The top finisher a year ago was Natasha Hurff, who placed third in the 500 freestyle (5:20.09).

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Players Mentioned

Mason Cartier: Back/Fly; Junior

Casey Everett: Free; Junior

Natasha Hurff: Free; Sophomore

Fiona Reilly: IM; Sophomore

Andrew Sammons: Breast/IM; Junior

Gavin Stuhler: Free; Junior

Owen White: Back/IM; Junior

Aurora Zary: IM/Back; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Mason Cartier
: Junior
: Back/Fly

Casey Everett
: Junior
: Free

Natasha Hurff
: Sophomore
: Free

Fiona Reilly
: Sophomore
: IM

Andrew Sammons
: Junior
: Breast/IM

Gavin Stuhler
: Junior
: Free

Owen White
: Junior
: Back/IM

Aurora Zary
: Sophomore
: IM/Back