Coombs Named Swimmer of the Meet; Six Hawks Earn All-Conference
NEW PALTZ, NY -- Senior Michelle Coombs was named the Outstanding Female Swimmer of the meet at the SUNYAC Championships. Coombs won the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle and was part of the winning 200 medley relay. She set new SUNYAC meet, conference and varsity records in all of her individual events. Coombs was named to the All-Conference first team for her performance. Senior Liz Delia, sophomore Joelle Hopf, and senior Katie Rapp were each named to the All-Conference second team. Delia finished second in the 200 back (2:12.65) and Rapp touched third (2:13.08). Hopf finished third (1:08.80) in the 100 breast stroke.
Stephen Cozzolongo and Johnny Fleckenstein were named to the All-Conference second team. Fleckenstein finished third in the 400 IM (4:18.96) and Cozzolongo took third in the 100 back touching in 54.08. Return to Top of Page
Men and Women Finish Fourth at Swim
The SUNY New Paltz men's and women's swim teams each finished fourth in the team standings at the completion of the SUNYAC Championships held at the Burt Flickenger Aquatic Center.
Senior Michelle Coombs won her third individual event of the meet, claiming the 100 free in a meet, conference and varsity record of 51.47. Coombs teamed up with Ashley Williamson, Liz Delia and Joelle Hopf for a second place finish in the 400 free relay (3:37.34). Delia finished second in the 200 back (2:12.65) and Katie Rapp touched third (2:13.08). Hopf and Regina Davide finished fifth (2:30.44) and seventh (2:32.38), respectively, in the 200 breast and Liz Ruggerio was eighth in the 200 fly (2:17.69). The Hawks time trialed the 400 medley relay and finished with a time of 3:59.38. Coombs swam the 100 back leg and finished with a split of 56.56 which made an ACut and set a varsity and conference record.
On the men's side Zack Lowenstein finished fourth iin the 200 back (1:59.39) and Stephen Cozzolongo touched fifth (2:00.54). Junior Johnny Fleckenstein was fourth in the 200 breast (2:15.12) and teamed up with Brendan Lown, Brian Bennett and Lowenstein for a sixth place finish in the 400 free relay (3:18.91). Return to Top of Page
Day Two of Swim SUNYACs
The SUNY New Paltz men's and women's swim team is participating in the SUNYAC championships at the Flickinger Aquatic Center in Buffalo, N.Y. Both teams are currently in 4th place with the women scoring 370.5 points and the men scoring 233.5 points.
On the women's side, four new varsity records were set, along with two conference records, a meet record and an ACut and BCut were made.
The 200 medley relay team of Michelle Coombs, Laura Lipp, Liz Ruggerio, and Ashley Williamson finished first in a time of 1:49.01. Coombs swam to a new meet, conference, and varsity record in the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:52.86, making a national ACut. Coombs time was five seconds faster than the runner-up. Joelle Hopf and Erica Ellis finished third (1:08.80) and fifth (1:09.43), respectively, in the 100 breast stroke. Hopf's time broke the old school record of 1:08.88. Ellis swam to a fourth place finish in the 100 fly (1:00.48) setting a new varsity record and Liz Ruggerio touched seventh (1:01.84). Senior Liz Delia touched in a time of 4:43.95 for a fourth place finish in the 400 IM. Katie Rapp and Samantha Graham finished fourth (1:02.14) and sixth (1:02.76), respectively, in the 100 back stroke. The 800 free relay team of Delia, Hopf, Regina Davide and Graham finished fourth (8:10.75). At the end of the day, Coombs, Lipp, Ellis and Williamson swam a timed trail for the 200 medley relay and went a 1:47.75, setting a varsity record. Coombs split in the back was 26.00, Lipp went a 31.21 in the breast, Ellis clocked a 26.44 in the fly, and Williamson finished the free in 24.10. The 1:47.75 makes a National BCut.
On the men's side Johnny Fleckenstein finished third in the 400 IM (4:18.96). Stephen Cozzolongo and Zack Lowenstein took third and sixth, respectively, in the 100 back with Cozzolongo touching in 54.08 and Lowenstein finishing in 54.76. The 800 free relay of Brian Bennett, Stefan Crain, Fleckenstein and Lowenstein took fourth (7:17.20) and Cozzolongo, Danny Lo, Mark Chipman and Brendan Lown teamed up in the 200 medley relay and finished fifth (1:39.97).
The meet's final events will occur Saturday evening beginning at 6 p.m. Return to Top
Day One of Swimming SUNYACs
The SUNY New Paltz men's and women's swim team travel to Buffalo NY to the Burt Flickinger Aquatic Center for the 2007 SUNYAC Championships.
On the women's side Michelle Coombs claimed the 50 freestyle in a SUNYAC meet, conference and New Paltz varsity record of 23.72, improving her National BCut time. Ashley Williamson finished fourth in the 50 free in 24.97. The 200 yard freestyle relay of Williamson, Regina Davide, Beth Colebeck and Coombs finished second in a time of 1:38.55, setting a new varsity record and the 400 medley relay team of Katie Rapp, Joelle Hopf, Liz Ruggerio, and Coombs finished third in a varsity record time of 4:03.75. Sophomore Erica Ellis was eighth in the 200 IM (2:17.51). At the end of day one, the Hawks were in fourth place with 146.5 points.
The men's 200 freestyle relay of Brendan Lown, Stephen Cozzolongo, Mike Demerest and Zack Lowenstein finished fifth in 1:29.63. Sophomore Stefan Crain finished fifth in the 500 yard freestyle (4:55.39). Lowenstein and Johnny Fleckenstein finished fourth (1:59.46) and seventh (2:02.46) in the 200 IM, respectively. Cozzolongo, Danny Lo, Mark Chipman and Lowenstein teamed up for the 400 medley relay and finished sixth (3:43.01). At the end of day one the men stood in fifth place with 113.5, only a half a point behind fourth place Fredonia.
Marist Improves to 9-0 on Senior Day
(Poughkeepsie) - The Marist Men's Swimming and Diving team remained undefeated and improved to 9-0 on Saturday afternoon with a 137-90 win over Southern Connecticut St. Senior captain Pat Collins (Nutley, N.J.) and junior Devon O'Nalty (East Hartford, Conn.) each won two individual events for Marist in the victory. Prior to Saturday's meet, six seniors were honored for their contributions to the program.
Marist opened the meet with a victory in the 400-yard medley relay. The team of Dan Garaffa (Manchester, Conn.), Mark Esolen (Archbald, Pa.), Nick Chevalier (Milford, N.H.) and Collins won the event with a time of 3:37.18. Chevalier and Garaffa each picked up an individual win, with Chevalier winning the 200-yard butterfly in 1:58.90 and Garaffa taking first in the 200-yard backstroke in 1:55.09.
Collins picked up his first win in the 50-yard freestyle, as he posted a winning time of 21.36 seconds. He followed that up with a victory in the 100-yard free with a time of 46.82 seconds.
Other winners for Marist on Saturday were captain Brandon Youse (Boyertown, Pa.) and Spencer Hartmann (Windsor, Conn.). Youse was victorious in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:59.15, while Hartmann took the win in the 500-yard free, besting the field in a time of 4:47.08.
In diving, O'Nalty swept both events for Marist. He placed first in the three-meter event with a score of 254.33. He was followed in the event by Jesus Santos (Haverstraw, N.Y.) in third with a score of 235.50 and Mitchell Katz (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) in fourth with a total 229.28. O'Nalty followed that performance up with a victory on the one-meter board with a winning score of 241.65. Katz would finish in third place off the one-meter board with a score of 212.40, with Santos taking fourth with a score of 181.87.
Before Saturday's meet, Marist honored six seniors who have produced two MAAC Championships to date. Chevalier, Collins, Garaffa, Will Shearouse (Milford, N.H.), Matt Walsh (Wantagh, N.Y.) and Youse were honored for their contributions to the program.
The Red Foxes will look to finish a perfect 10-0 when they take on UMBC in Baltimore on January 27. The meet with the Retrievers is scheduled for noon.
Pictured is Brandon Youse who was one of six Marist seniors to swim in their final home meet on Saturday. Return to Top of Page
Army Rolls Past Lehigh
(Bethlehem, Pa.) – Jake Mentele won three events and Zach Disbrow captured two races as the Army men’s swimming and diving team defeated Lehigh, 195.5-109.5, Saturday afternoon. The Black Knights (7-2, 5-1 Patriot League) won 10 of the 16 swimming events en route to their third consecutive victory.
Mentele took home first-place ribbons for winning the 100-yard breaststroke (58.40 seconds), 200-yard breaststroke (2:08.19) and 200-yard individual medley (1:58.32).
Disbrow, meanwhile, grabbed the gold medal in the 100-yard butterfly (50.75) and 200-yard butterfly (1:57.07).
Jeff Tolbert, Efri Ruthenberg and Kyle Newman all added individual victories in the pool.
Tolbert placed first in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a clocking of 9:53.14. Ruthenberg took first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:41.78) and chipped in a runner-up showing in the 50-yard freestyle (22.35). Newman led a 1-2-3 Army finish in the 500-yard freestyle, winning the event with a time of 4:45.92.
Army swept both relays, capturing first place in both the 400-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
John Hutchison added two runner-up showings, placing second in the 100-yard backstroke (54.81) and the 200-yard individual medley (2:00.60).
Spencer Kelly, Anthony Chung, Quentin Walsh and Patrick O'Malley each chipped in with a runner-up showing.
Kelly took second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.32), Chung placed second in the 200-yard butterfly (2:00.60), Walsh finished second in the 200-yard backstroke (1:56.03) and O’Malley was second in the 500-yard freestyle (4:45.92).
During its three-meet win streak, Army is outscoring its opposition by 85.3 points per meet.
First-year head coach Mickey Wender was pleased with the performance of his team.
“The guys had a good showing today,” commented Wender. “We had the opportunity to try a lot of new things and everyone did a great job stepping up. Zach (Disbrow) and Jake (Mentele) each had another solid showing and continue to do a great job leading our men’s team.”
The Black Knights return to action on Jan. 27, when the team travels to Fairfax, Va., for a meet versus Old Dominion, American and George Washington. The meet is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
Pictured is Jake Mentele. Photo Credit: AAC Return to Top of Page
Mount Defeats Elms College
(Newburgh) - Following a week-long training trip in Orlando, Florida, the Mount Saint Mary College men’s swimming team returned to competitive action last week. In their only meet of the week, they defeated Elms College by a score of 105- 88.
Mount Saint Mary received three first place finishes from junior Matt Peters (Middletown, NY) to help lift the Blue Knights to victory at Partyka Natatorium. Peters earned first place finishes in the 100-meter butterfly (1:04.77), the 100-meter freestyle (57.82) and the 100-meter individual medley (1:05.54).
Freshman Stephen Ghostlaw (New Windsor, NY) helped out Peters with his good day in the pool. He took home first place points in the 100-meter backstroke (1:17.11) and earned second place points in the 800-meter freestyle (9:48.61) and the 50-meter buttefly (33.00).
Sophomore Tom DiLeo (Newburgh, NY) was also an individual event winner. He took home the 400-meter freestyle in a time of 4:39.82, just three tenths of a second faster than the nearest competitor. DiLeo also won the 200- meter freestyle (2:13.51).
The Blue Knights got the meet off to a good start with an early victory in the 200-meter medley relay. Peters, DiLeo, freshman Dennis Walker (Union, NJ), and freshman Jay Matushefske (Garnerville, NY) put up a time of 2:17.13 in the event. Return to Top of Page
Hawks Swim Past Stevens Ducks
(Hoboken) - The SUNY New Paltz men's and women's swimming teams traveled to Stevens Institute of Technology and swam past the Ducks in a 97-78 win for the women and a 95-90 win for the men. Seven pool records (PR) were set by the Hawks.
On the men's side the 200 free relay of Zack Lowenstein, Stephen Cozzolongo, Brendan Lown, and Joe Fails set a PR (1:32.94). The 200 medley relay of Lowenstein, Danny Lo, Cozzolongo, and Lown finished first in 1:45.36. Brian Bennett was a double winner for the Hawks in the 1000 free (10:43.38) and the 100 free (52.39). Lowenstein and Johnny Fleckenstein finished first in the 200 free (1:52.49) and the 200 IM (2:09.45), respectively.
On the women's side, senior Michelle Coombs set a PR in the 100 back (58.58) and the 50 freestyle (24.27). Liz Delia and Melinda Pullen set PRs in the 400 IM (4:50.19) and the 500 free (5:13.77), respectively. The 400 free relay of Ashley Williamson, Regina Davide, Joelle Hopf, and Laura Lipp touched first in 3:51.79 (PR). The 400 medley relay set a pool record in a time of 4:09.97. Davide claimed two individual events for the Hawks, the 200 free (2:05.41) and the 100 free (57.73). Nicole Moss touched first in the 1000 free in a time of 11:40.53.
The women's team returns to action on Saturday when they travel to RPI. Return to Top
HAwks Swept by Blue Wave
(New Paltz) - The SUNY New Paltz swimming teams hosted the SUNY Geneseo Blue Wave this afternoon. The women were defeated 115-90 and the men lost 108-91.
Senior Michelle Coombs was a triple winner claiming the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle. 200 freesyle in 1:54.82, six seconds ahead of the runnerup, 100 yard freestyle in 53:64, 500 free in 5:20.51. Regina Davide and Ashley Williamson went one-two in the 50 yard freestyle with times of 25.59 and 25.64, respectively. Joelle Hopf touched first in the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:10.13.
On the men's side Johnny Fleckenstein touched first in the 200 IM in a time of 2:07.06, with Stephen Cozzolongo finishing behind in 2:08.26 for second place. Cozzolongo claimed the 100 backstroke in 55.65 and Zack Lowenstein finished second in the 100 freestyle in 50.26 and the 200 freestyle in 51.30. Brian Bennett was the runnerup in the 500 free with a time of 5:16.84 and Danny Lo finished first in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.62).
The men's swim team will return to action on Saturday when they travel to RPI for the 2007 Kumpf Invitational before both teams travel to Stevens on Jan. 17th. Return to Top of Page
Marist Swimming And Diving Programs Remain Ranked In CollegeSwimming.Com Mid-Major Poll
Marist men enter intersession 7-0, women stand at 5-2
(Poughkepsie) - Larry J. VanWagner's Swimming and Diving programs remained ranked in CollegeSwimming.com's Mid-Major Top 25. The men, who stand at 7-0, currently stand 15th in the poll, while the women at 5-2 hold the 21st position.
VanWagner's men's squad holds a point total of 161.13 in the poll, while Navy, ranked first holds a total of 188.34. On the women's side, Harvard holds the top spot with a total of 176.69, while Marist stands in 21st with a point total of 161.94.
The Marist Men completed the first portion of the season a perfect 7-0, with a 5-0 mark in MAAC competitions. The Foxes are coming off a sweep at the H20unds Invitational in which VanWagner and Associate Head Coach Melanie Bolstad earned the program's 200th victory. In its 28th year of competition the men's program holds a dual meet record of 202-83, good for a winning percentage of .709. The Foxes have also claimed 10 of a possible 11 MAAC crowns since joining in the league in 1995.
The Marist men have also garnered individual MAAC awards, as Greg Jablonski (Massapequa, N.Y.), Ralph Rienzo (Wallingford, Conn.) and Pat Collins (Nutley, N.J.) have all been named MAAC Swimmer of the Week. Junior Devon O'Nalty (East Hartford, Conn.) has been named the league's Diver of the Week on three occasions so far this season.
On the women's side, Marist is coming off a strong showing at the H20unds Invitational, which saw the Foxes defeat MAAC rivals Loyola and Niagara, before bowing to Delaware in the four way meet. The Foxes' remain perfect in the league at 5-0, and stand at 5-2 overall.
Junior Jamie Falco (North Haven, Conn.) has gotten off to a great start for the Foxes, as she has set school records in the 200-backstroke and freestyle on her way to being named MAAC Swimmer of the Week on October 23. Freshman Jenell Walsh-Thomas (Medford, N.J.) has also garnered a Swimmer of the Week award, while junior Melissa Mangona (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) was named MAAC Diver of the Week on October 31, November 8 and December 5.
Marist is off from competition until January 12 at Seton Hall, but will be in Coral Springs, Florida from December 26-January 1 for intersession training. Return to Top of Page
O'Nalty Tabbed MAAC Diver Of The Week
Junior earns award for the third time this season
Marist junior Devon O'Nalty (East Hartford, Conn.) has been named MAAC Diver of the Week it was announced by the league office on Tuesday morning. This marks the third time this season O'Nalty has been honored with the weekly award.
O'Nalty had a strong weekend for the Red Foxes at the two day H20unds Invitational hosted by Loyola. O'Nalty took the top spot in the one-meter event with a point total of 265.35, before placing second off the three-meter board with a score of 438.00.
O'Nalty's effort helped Marist earn victories over Delaware, as well as MAAC foes Niagara and host Loyola. The wins were historic ones for the Red Foxes as they gave Marist Director of Swimming Larry J. VanWagner his 200th career victory, in this his 28th season.
On the year, Marist is a perfect 7-0 on the season and 5-0 in MAAC meets. After a trip to California for Intersession Training from December 26-January 1, the Foxes will return to competition on January 12 at Seton Hall.
Pictured is Marist Junior Devon O'Nalty.
Mentele Named “Swimmer of the Week” By Patriot League
For the third time overall and second consecutive time this season, Army junior Jake Mentele garnered Patriot League Male “Swimmer of the Week” accolades it was announced from league office’s today.
Mentele had a busy weekend competing against Navy at West Point on Thursday before traveling to West Lafayette, Ind., on Friday to take part in the 2006 U.S. Open.
The Sioux Falls, S.D., native collected a first, second and third-place in individual events and was also part of a record setting 200-yard medley relay team versus Navy. He swam the second leg of the 200 medley relay team that opened the meet against the Midshipmen with an Academy record clocking of 1 minute, 31.95 seconds. Mentele went on to win the 200-yard breaststroke with a winning time of 2:02.46. He finished second in the 100 breast with a time of 56.71, while placing third in the 200 individual medley in 1:54.80, swimming season-best times in all three events opposite Navy.
Mentele went on to compete at the 2006 U.S. Open, where last winter he qualified for the 2008 Olympic time trials. This time around the junior met the NCAA “B Cut” qualifying standard in the 200-meter breaststroke. He touched the wall in 2:19.24 in the preliminaries to accomplish the feat. The time also converts into the second fastest time in Army history at 1:59.47. In the finals, Mentele finished seventh against some of the worlds top competitors with a time of 2:20.92.
Both the Army men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams return to action when it competes at the San Juan Pentathlon in Puerto Rico on Jan. 5, 2007.
Pictured is Army's Junior Jake Mentele. Photo Credit AAC Return to Top of Page
Red Foxes Lead After Day One Of H20unds Invitational
Marist leads Loyola, Niagara and Delaware
The Marist Men’s Swimming and Diving team leads all three of its opponent after day one of the H20unds Invitational hosted by Loyola. Devon O’Nalty ( East Hartford , Conn. ) won the one-meter diving event, while Spencer Hartmann ( Windsor , Conn. ) took first in the 500-yard freestyle. Marist leads Delaware 70-40, Loyola 60-49 and Niagara 73-36 after the first day.
Marist opened the competition by winning the 400-yard medley relay in a time of 3:31.58. The team of Dan Garaffa (Manchester, Conn.), Greg Jablonski (Massapequa, N.Y.), Nick Chevalier (Milford, N.H.) and Pat Collins (Nutley, N.J.) swam past the field for the win.
In the next event, Hartmann picked up the win in the 500-yard free in a time of 4:40.00. He was followed by teammate Chevalier who finished third, posting a time of 4:46.90.
Team captains Brandon Youse (Boyertown, Pa.) and Collins would then post third and second place finishes in the 200-yard individual medley and the 50-yard free, respectively. Youse took third in a time of 2:00.03, while Collins took second with a 21.74 second clocking.
In the final swimming event of the evening, the Foxes took third place in the 800-yard freestyle. The team of Chevalier, Garaffa, Luke Johnson (Pensacola, Fla.) and Hartmann posted a time of 7:10.87.
In diving action Marist placed three divers in the top four in the one-meter event. O’Nalty took the top spot for Marist with a score of 267.50. He was followed by Mitchell Katz (Wappingers Falls, N.Y. ) in third with a score of 217.80 and Jesus Santos (Haverstraw, N.Y.) with a total of 215.0.
Pictured is Marist Senior Captain Brandon Youse Return to Top of Page
ECAC Championships - Coombs Claims Four Individual and Two Relay Titles
The SUNY New Paltz swimming teams competed at the Easter Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship Dec. 1-3 at the Nassau Aquatics Center in Eisenhower Park, located in East Meadow, NY.
The women's team finished sixth out of 14 teams with 348.50 points, which the men finished 10th out of 16 with 137 points.
Senior Michelle Coombs highlighted the weekend claiming four individual titles and two relays. She won the 50 free (24.31) and 100 free (52.91) setting a national cut time and breaking the ECAC record in both. Coombs went on to claim the 200 free (1:54.55) in a national cut time, setting the ECAC record, New Paltz varsity record and the SUNYAC conference record. She placed first in the 100 backstroke in a national cut time of 58.82. Coombs teamed up with Laura Lipp, Liz Ruggiero, and Ashley Williamson to win the 200 medley relay in a national cut time of 1:50.67, setting the New Paltz varsity record and a new ECAC record. The 200 free relay team of Coombs, Regina Davide, Williamson and Beth Colebeck touched in a first place time of 1:41.39.
Other highlights included Liz Delia finishing fifth in the 400 IM (4:50.97). In the 200 backstroke Delia finished ninth (2:16.59) and Katie Rapp touched 10th (2:17.14). Joelle Hopf finished seventh in the 200 breaststroke in 2:31.99, while Davide placed ninth (2:34.57).
The 800 free relay team of Coombs, Delia, Davide and Hopf finished fourth (8:12.41), and the 400 medley relay of Coombs, Ruggiero, Hopf and Williamson placed fourth (4:09.13).
On the men's side Stephen Cozzolongo posted the highest individual finish with an eighth place mark in the 100 backstroke (55.69). Cozzolongo finished 11th in the 200 backstroke in a time of 2:02.54, and Zack Lowenstein touched 13th in 2:03.56. Johnny Fleckenstein placed 10th in the 400 IM (4:28.83), Danny Lo finished 15th in the 200 breaststroke (2:21.54), and Lowenstein grabbed an 11th place mark in the 200 IM (2:03.80).
Cozzolongo teamed with Lo, Mark Chipman and Brendan Lown in the 200 medley relay and finished eighth in a time of 1:42.99, cutting 2.22 seconds off their seed time. Cozzolongo, Lo, Joe Fails, and Chipman placed eighth in the 400 medley relay (3:48.51) and Stefan Crain, Fleckenstein, Brian Bennett, and Lowenstein touched eighth in the 800 free relay (7:35.63).
Swimming and Diving Hosts Navy In Annual “Star” Meet Thursday
(West Point) - The Army swimming and diving team renews its rivalry with Navy this Thursday in the annual “Star” meet between the two service-academy schools. The women’s meet is schedule to start at 3:45 p.m., with the men’s meet to follow at 7:15 p.m., at West Point’s Crandall Pool.
Men’s Preview
The Army men take the blocks with a 4-1 record and 2-0 mark in the Patriot League. Jake Mentele, Efri Ruthenberg and Greg Sievers lead the Black Knights.
Mentele tops the team with nine first place finishes this season and is unbeaten in the 200 breast with a 4-0 mark. His top time in the event this season is 2:04.23, while his best time in the 100 breast, where he has three top placings, is 57.35. The junior’s other two victories came in the 200 IM and the 100 free. Mentele has been tabbed the Patriot League’s “Swimmer of the Week” on two occasions this season.
Ruthenberg ranks second on the team with eight wins thus far. The Peoria, Ariz., native owns an unblemished 4-0 record in the 200 free, with a season-best time of 1:41.45. He owns the Academy and Army-Navy meet record in that event clocking a 1:38.20 when the Mids last visited Crandall Pool in 2004. Ruthenberg has been equally strong in the 100 free with a season-best splashing of 46.99 and three victories.
Sievers has stepped into the role as the men’s top diving threat this season. The Lonestar State native has already established new personal events on both boards and qualified for the NCAA Zone Diving Regional. He posted his best score on the 1-meter board against Lafayette (305.93) and on the 3-meter board versus Williams (339.00). Sievers has also been named Patriot League “Diver of the Week” twice this season.
The Midshipmen hold a 9-0 mark entering Thursday and are 2-0 in both the Patriot League and the Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming League. Navy is led by Kevin Teague and Kevin Murki.
Teague, who set the Army-Navy meet record on the 3-meter board last season, is the reigning three-time Patriot League Championships “Diver of the Meet,” while Murki is a two-time Patriot League individual champion in the 200 backstroke.
Navy leads the all-time series, 39-29, and has taken the last 15 contests to assume that edge. The Black Knights’ last Star victory over the Mids was during the 1990-91 campaign, defeating their counterparts from Annapolis 130-113 at West Point’s Crandall Pool.
Pictured is Efri Ruthenberg Photo Credit: AAC Return to Top of Page
Men’s Swimming and Diving Downs Williams, 154-100
(West Point) – Jake Mentele, Kyle Newman and Efri Ruthenberg all doubled to lead the Army men’s swimming and diving team past Williams, 154-100, at Crandall Pool on Saturday afternoon. The Black Knights (4-1) claimed first in 10 of the first 11 scored events to separate itself from the Ephs (0-1).
Mentele collected his team leading eighth and ninth wins of the season in the 100- and 200- yard breaststroke. The junior logged season bests in both events touching the wall in 57.35 seconds in the 100 breast and 2:04.23 in the 200 breast.
Newman earned his two victories in the distance freestyle events, tallying his third sweep of the 500 and 1000 free this season. The freshman established a new personal best in the 500 free with a time of 4:41.59, after winning the 100 free in 9:49.32.
Ruthenberg swam season best times in claiming first place in both the 100 and 200 free. The Peoria, Ariz., native touched first in the 100 free splashing in at 46.99, and won the 200 free with a clocking of 1:41.45.
Zach Disbrow, Will Eggers and John Hutchison completed Army’s list of individual event winners. Disbrow claimed the 200 butterfly with a season best effort of 1:53.24. Eggers won the 50 free with a time of 21.96, while Hutchison touched the wall in 1:55.98 to place first in the 200 back.
The Black Knights opened the meet with a first-place finish in the 200 medley relay. Mark Lesak, Mentele, Disbrow and Cameron Rice combined for a winning time of 1:35.61 to start off the afternoon for the Black, Gold and Gray.
In exhibition diving, junior Greg Sievers notched a new personal best on the 3-meter board, scoring an impressive 339.00.
“I’m proud of the way both the men and women competed today,” commented Army head coach Mickey Wender. “I was very pleased with the progression we showed today and we remain on track for accomplishing the goals we’ve set for ourselves.”
Army returns to the blocks on Thursday, Nov. 30, when they host Navy at West Point’s Crandall Pool. The annual Star meet between the two service-academy rivals is slated to start at 7:15 p.m.
Pic: Jake Mentele Photo Courtesy AAC Return to Top of Page
Jablonski, O’Nalty Earn MAAC Weekly Honors
Junior duo helped Marist to 199-70 win over Fairfield
Marist juniors Greg Jablonski (Massapequa, N.Y.) and Devon O’Nalty (East Hartford, Conn.) have been named the MAAC Men's Swimmer and Diver of the Week it was announced on Tuesday afternoon. This marks Jablonski’s first career league honor, while this will be O'Nalty’s second honor of the season.
Jablonski had a strong day in a 199-70 win over Fairfield on November 12. He bested the field in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:00.00, before taking the top spot in the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 22.16 seconds. In addition, Jablonski also swan the fastest time of the meet in the 400-yard individual medley, finishing in 4:14.41.
In diving, O’Nalty swept both events against the Stags. He finished first off the three-meter board with a score of 278.62, before taking the top position in one-meter diving with a score of 247.95. This marks the second time this season and fourth time in his career O’Nalty has earned Diver of the Week honors.
At 3-0 overall on the season and 2-0 in MAAC meets, the Red Foxes will be back in the water tonight, November 14 at Iona. The meet with the Gaels is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. in New Rochelle. Return to Top of Page
Marist Remains Unbeaten, Top Fairfield 199-70
Foxes move to 3-0 on the season, 2-0 in the MAAC
(Poughkeepsie) - The Marist Men’s Swimming and Diving Team remained unbeaten on the season with a 199-70 win over Fairfield at the McCann Center on Sunday afternoon. The Red Foxes had five win individual events, including Devon O’Nalty who swept the diving events in the win.
Marist got off to a strong start on Sunday, taking the top three spots in the 200-yard medley relay. The “A” team of Dan Garaffa (Manchester, Conn.), Ed Gurka III (Pompton Plains, N.J.), Will Shearouse (Milford, N.H.) and Ralph Rienzo (Wallingford, Conn.) came away with the win in a time of 1:41.42.
Sophomore Spencer Hartmann was one of four Marist swimmers to win two individual events on Sunday, with the first win coming in the 1,000-yard freestyle in a time of 10:12.34. Hartmann would then go on to best the field in the 500-yard free in a time of 4:51.89.
Senior captain Pat Collins (Nutley, N.J.) was also a two time winner, as he came away in first place in the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 1:47.44 and the 100-yard butterfly in 54:48 seconds.
Greg Jablonski (Massapequa, N.Y.) and Luke Johnson (Pensacola, Fla.) were the other swimmers to win twice on Sunday afternoon. Johnson took first place in the 100-yard backstroke in 55.10 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle in 41.51 seconds. Jablonski came away with wins in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:00.00 and the 50-yard freestyle in 22.16 seconds.
The Red Foxes also had three other swimmers win one event on the day. Mark Esolen (Archbald, Pa.) came away with the win in the 200-yard butterfly, while Kevin Quinn (Neponsit, N.Y.) and Gurka came away with first place finishes in the 200-yard backstroke and 200-yard breaststroke, respectively.
In diving, O’Nalty continued his strong junior campaign, as he swept the diving events on Sunday. He took first off the three-meter board with a score of 278.62, before he topped the field in one-meter diving with a score of 247.95.
Following Sunday’s win, the Foxes improve to 3-0 overall on the season and 2-0 in MAAC meets. Marist will be back in the water on Tuesday in New Rochelle against Iona. The meet is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. Return to Top of Page