The College women's swimming and diving team defeated the Owls of Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), 144-99, this Saturday. The win advances the Lions to 3-1, while SCSU drops to 0-4.
Senior Captain Lauren O'Donnell contributed a first place win in the 50 free, a second place win in the 500 free and joined teammates junior Heather Meirkowski, freshman Kendall Warren and senior captain Aubrey Horvath on the winning 400 free relay team. Horvath also won in the 100 free with a time of 54.63, while Warren contributed a first place finish in the 200 free in 2:00:89 and second place in the 200 back.
Lions senior diver and team captain Kristen Simms won both the one-meter and three-meter events, adding two more first place finishes.
"I was really proud of the way that our team swam," O'Donnell said. "We had a really hard week of training and everyone pushed through in their races. We have another really big meet next weekend against Bloomsburg and this past meet showed us that we are ready for them."
Men's Swimming
The men's team did not fare as well as the women, losing the match 122-107. The Owls move to 2-0, while the Lions drop to 3-1.
Despite the efforts of many key swimmers, including juniors Nick Steffanci, who swam 22.31 for a first in the 50 free, and Davy Bisslik, who won the 200 fly in 1:57.63, the Lions were unable to secure a win. Steffanci also joined teammates senior captain Wes Donnelly, and sophomore Steve Swenson and senior Steve Nepola to win the 400 medley relay. Bisslik was on the winning 400 free relay team with freshman Kyle King, sophomore Jeff Glenn and Nepola.
Swenson was the only other Lion to win two races, and also placed first in the 200 breast with a time of 2:14:16.
Seniors Chris Hoffman and Fernando Jacome assisted SCSU in handing the Lions their first loss. Hoffman took away firsts in both the 1000 free and the 500 free. Jacome won the 200 IM and the 100 free.
The Owls' victory was sealed by sophomore diver John Wood, who won the one-meter and three-meter events.
Upcoming Meet
The Lions women's team will host a meet with the Bloomsburg University Huskies this Saturday at Packer Hall, while the men's team has off until the Princeton Invitational on Dec. 5.
