Lehigh University
Bucknell
Swim teams split with Bucknell on Senior Day
1/23/2010 5:15:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh swimming and diving teams honored their senior classes prior to Saturday’s final home dual meet against Bucknell. Both Mountain Hawk squads put forth valiant performances and Lehigh’s seniors were sent off with a split against the Bison at Jacobs Pool. The Lehigh men won nine of 16 events to prevail 166.5-131.5, while the women fought hard against one of the top teams in the Patriot League but ultimately fell 182-115.
“Our men and women fought in two great meets,” said Lehigh head coach Rob Herb. “Our team always fights to the end. This meet was a meet of inches and Lehigh made it happen in the last three inches of every race. Our guys and girls have constructed a winning and competitive team from hard work, passion and desire.”
In his final home meet senior Kevin McGrath responded by sweeping the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke events. McGrath won the 100 in 59.52 and took the 200 in 2:08.84. Lehigh’s seniors received plenty of help from the underclassmen. Freshman Tyler Lareau won a pair of individual events: the 100 backstroke (51.54) and the 500 free (4:47.33). Classmate Alex Aboud captured the 200 fly in 1:55.21 and finished second to McGrath in the 200 breast. Frank Cuzzola was the third freshman event-winner, as he took the 200 free in 1:43.36. A pair of sophomores also won individual events as Chris Toth won the 1000 free in a time of 9:48.87, while Angelo DiGiacinto won the 100 fly with a time of 51.97.
Lehigh’s men also won the 200 medley relay with Lareau, McGrath, DiGiacinto and junior Andrew DiPietro delivering a time of 1:35.32. The Mountain Hawks improved to 9-1 on the dual season and finished off an undefeated (6-0) season in home meets.
On the women’s side, Lehigh was able to win just two of the first 14 events against a Bison squad that perennially competes for a Patriot League title. Senior Julie Sicherman took first place in the 100 fly with a time of 59.36 seconds. Sophomore Alena Pollitt took second give Lehigh a 1-2 finish in the event.
The Mountain Hawks’ other win came from senior Erin Tormey who won the one meter dive with 229.80 points. Tormey also placed second in the three meter dive for Lehigh’s women who are now 5-4 on the season.
Despite the split, Herb remained upbeat about the effort and performance of his teams against the Bison, and was especially grateful for the work put in by the senior class.
“It was a glorious day for the seniors,” Herb said. “They earned it. My thanks go out to all of them.”
The Mountain Hawks will wrap-up the dual meet season on Saturday, February 6 when they will visit Penn State. The meet gets underway at 1 p.m. from University Park, Pa.
