2008 Woodie Awards
RSSMen win, women fall in first league meet
By Julie Arthofer
Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: Sports
|
"This meet was very exciting for us," sophomore Ryan Guttormsen said. "A lot of our guys stepped up and swam some of their best times in order to overtake Colgate."
In the 200 freestyle, sophomore Ben Dearden finished first and Guttormsen came from behind to finish second.
"Some outstanding races were the 200 frees and the 200 medley relay," sophomore Mike Harm said. "In both events, our swimmers swam best times in order to beat out Colgate."
Junior Dan Johnson won the 100 freestyle. Johnson swam a Patriot League best time of 46.63, beating Colgate freshman Tucker Gniewski who finished in 49.02.
In the 500 freestyle, sophomore Kevin McGrath finished first and senior Jonathan Keamey finished second. McGrath finished first in the 200 individual medley and 200 breaststroke. Kearney won the 200 fly with a time of 1:57.03, nearly four seconds ahead of the second-place contender.
Showing his strength in the sprint events, Johnson swept the 50 and 100 freestyle events in times of 21.73 and 46.63, respectively.
The Lehigh men also got first place in the 200 medley relay with Dearden, Johnson, freshman Billy Dunne, and senior Mike Hay as a team. They swam a time of 1:37.52 to edge past the Lehigh relay squad of juniors Darren Podolak and Brian Curci, sophomore Mark Ostapenko and freshman Matt Tax.
"It was very exciting to see everyone swim as fast as they did," Guttormsen said. "It really solidifies our spot amongst the Patriot League elite."
The women's team faced two tough Patriot League opponents-Patriot League 2007 champions Navy, and Colgate, who was ranked to finish second in the league in a preseason poll.
"Everyone really stepped up when the time was needed, and many of us had great swims at this early point in the season," sophomore Laura Eull said.
Junior Melanie Rolish had an impressive swim as she beat out the Navy and Colgate contenders to win the 200 breaststroke event.
In the 1000 freestyle event, sophomore Allison Rolish and freshman Lauren Kindrick finished third and fourth respectively. Freshman Allison Montanye took third place in the 50 freestyle event.
The Mountain Hawks return to the pool at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, where both teams will swim in a tri-meet against Rider University and the University of Pennsylvania.
