Lehigh University
Rider
Men move to 5-0; women fall just short vs. Rider
11/7/2009 6:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh hosted its first full-squad home meet of the season Saturday against the Rider Broncs at Jacobs Pool. The Mountain Hawk men won their fifth straight dual meet to open the season, winning 10 of 16 events to defeat the Broncs 181-119. On the women’s side, Lehigh gave Rider all it could handle, but the visitors prevailed by a slim 150-146 margin. Lehigh’s women are now 2-2 on the season.
“The Lehigh men looked dominant as they battled back and forth to pick up a win,” explained Lehigh head coach Rob Herb. “All the close battles went Lehigh’s way. Our women surprised Rider in coming within four points. I give a lot of credit to our girls for a great team effort.”
Once again Lehigh’s freshmen men came through with strong performances as Frank Cuzzola and Tyler Lareau each won two individual events, while Alex Aboud led a top-three Mountain Hawk sweep in the 200 yard butterfly. Aboud posted a winning time of 1:58.37 and was followed by seniors Ben Dearden and Mark Ostapenko. Cuzzola captured the 100 free in 47.77 and the 200 free in 1:44.61, while Lareau continued to dominate the 100 backstroke, winning in 52.31 and the 500 free in 4:41.70.
Senior Kevin McGrath was once again a double winner, capturing the 100 breaststroke in 59.97 and the 200 in 2:10.69, while sophomore Angelo DiGiacinto won the 100 fly in 52.54 Lehigh also won both relays, with Lareau, McGrath, DiGiacinto and senior Ryan Guttormsen winning the 200 medley relay in 1:36.77 and Dearden, Guttormsen, Cuzzola and junior Andrew DiPietro taking the 400 free relay in 3:12.21
On the diving boards, sophomore Ryan Helfrich led the Mountain Hawks finishing third in the one and three meter events.
The Lehigh women won just five events, but were able to stay within striking distance with a number of second and third place finishes. The women’s breaststrokers had another strong day as senior Stephanie Naylor led a top-three sweep in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:07.40 with freshmen Emily DiDonato and Danielle Caruso finishing second and third respectively. In the 200, DiDonato took top honors in 2:26.70, with Caruso taking second and Naylor third.
Senior Allison Rolish also enjoyed a strong day, winning the 500 freestyle in 5:09.59 and also placing second in the 1000 free with a time of 10:35.75. Rolish led a 2-3-4 finish to provide big points for the Mountain Hawks in the 1000 free; a feat Lehigh matched in both the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events. Lehigh’s women also swept the relays, as sophomore Alena Pollitt, Naylor, senior Julie Sicherman and junior Allison Montanye won the 200 medley relay in 1:50.07, and sophomores Priscilla Barletta and Paola Simon and freshmen Katie Brinkhoff and Katie Haycraft combined to win the 400 free relay in 3:38.29.
Senior Erin Tormey finished second in both the one and three meter diving events.
The Mountain Hawks will have a short turnaround, as they will be back in the pool on Sunday when they host NJIT. The meet is scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. start from Jacobs Pool.
