Last Saturday, the men's and women's swimming and diving teams held their home opener against Keene State College, but as what will become the norm for the team entering its final season as a varsity program, competed at Regis College.Since the closing of the Linsey pool and the decision to suspend the varsity program at the conclusion of this season, the teams have held practices and will host home meets at Regis College.

The men's team lost 156 to 137, but earned first-place finishes in eight of the 16 swimming events. The women's squad also fell to Keene State by a score of 155.5 to 121.5.

In the men's 200-yard medley relay, the team of Justin Wellins '10, Marc Eder '12, Daniel Danon '13 and James Liu '10 took first place, beating the Keene State team by only 0.22 seconds thanks to Liu's strong performance as the anchor.

Liu also took first place in two other individual events and one relay, the 200-yard freestyle, the 50 yard freestyle and as a member of the 400-yard freestyle relay team.

Liu discussed his approach and reasons for his success.

"Before every race I tell myself to relax," Liu said. "I just go out from start. I don't take it easy; I go out fast, and I end it with everything I've got."

The men's team's four other wins were earned in the 200-yard butterfly by Aaron Bennett '11, the 200-yard breaststroke by Eder, the 100-yard butterfly by Danon and the 200-yard individual medley by Eder.

The Judges came close to a ninth first-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle. Bennett, who according to coach Jim Zotz put in a lot of extra conditioning during the offseason, swam a strong race, surging back after falling behind early only to lose by a mere 0.22 seconds.

"It was an awesome race," Zotz said. "[Bennett] didn't back down. He had a great race."

The men's team was also able to earn points in a diving event, as Alex Cemaj '10 took third for three points in the 1-meter dive. Last season, the men's team did not have consistent divers to compete in the event and were usually forced to forfeit the 27 points earned in diving events.

On the women's side, the squad took first-place finishes in one diving event and five swimming events, including a tie in the 100-yard backstroke.

Hollis Viray '10 earned two of the Judges' victories. She placed first in the 1,000-yard freestyle and the 200-yard breaststroke, both by more than 4 seconds.

The women also took first in the 400-yard freestyle relay, beating Keene with the team of Ellen Abramowitz '11, Dana Simms '11, Dasha Hentoff '10 and Lisa Rice '10. Simms also took first in the 1- meter diving event. The other win was by Angela Chui '12 in the 200-yard backstroke.

As a rookie, Chui had not lost a race in the 100-yard backstrokes. After a good start, she found her self neck and neck with her Keene State opponent and fought hard to earn a tie, clocking in at an impressive 1:01.28. With a tie not constituting a loss, she remains unbeaten.

In the 100-yard breaststroke, the women missed out on first place but took second, third and fourth places, with Viray clocking in at only 0.65 seconds behind the leader.

While they know that this is the last season of varsity swimming, both squads, as well as Zotz, remain optimistic and steadfast.

"We're not giving up," said Liu. "We take it one season at a time, focusing on every race, every meet and every practice."

The teams next play Saturday at Wheaton College at 1 p.m., in a meet that will also feature Worcester Polytechnic Institute.