The men’s swim team lost 104 to 55 in their first meet of the season against Archbishop Spalding December 15 at the Bel Air Athletic Club.

 “Spalding is the hardest team that John Carroll will swim against,” Athletic Director and swim team coach Larry Dukes said.

While Spalding’s swim team had 21 boys swimming in the meet, JC had only nine participants.

Although the team lost, freshman Will Horn placed first in the 100 butterfly.  Horn said that he was inspired to swim because he “liked being in the water and liked the people on the team.”

Horn, competing in his first meet on the varsity swim team, “felt good and wasn’t nervous at all.”

For sophomore Sean DiFatta, however, the meet was potentially life-threatening. “While I was pushing for the lead in freestyle, I had an asthma attack. I had to start doing backstroke,” said DiFatta.

The Patriots have their next meet against Severn on January 5, with both the women’s and men’s teams competing.

Putting this first loss aside, Dukes still has high hopes for the team this season. “This was a great meet and I am so proud of how the team has come out for the first time around,” said Dukes.

Kirby Browning can be reached for comment at [email protected].