America East Conference Championships, Day Three

BOSTON, Massachusetts, February 25. AFTER 27 scored events, the Boston University swimming and diving teams maintained their leads in front of a sellout crowd on day three of the 2012 America East Championship.

Both team races are extremely tight as only four points separate Boston U. and UMBC on the women's side and UMBC trails the Terriers by just 16 points on the men's side.

The Terrier men finished day three with 628 points to keep the lead ahead of the Retrievers, who check in with 612. Binghamton finished the day with 411 points while Stony Brook (264) and Maine (199) complete the field.

Boston U. controlled the day placing at least two swimmers in the top-five medal positions in every swimming event, including wins in the 400 IM, the 100 butterfly, the 100 breaststroke and in the 400 medley relay. Sophomore Nik Astashinsky took gold in the 400 IM, coming in at 3:56.57 to begin the Terrier's day. Daniel Kempf, who won two gold medals on day two, added two more with a 100 fly title (48.59) and a 400 medley relay crown (3:15.80). Jeffrey Thomas took gold for the Terriers in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 56.12.

UMBC received another record-breaking performance from Mohamed Hussein. A night after setting the new meet and America East record, Hussein did the same in the 100 backstroke (48.92) for an encore. Pierre De Waal defended his 200 freestyle championship with a time of 1:38.54 and Andrew Eckhoff completed the sweep of the men's diving events, capturing 3-meter gold with a score of 323.75 points.

Binghamton put in a strong showing in the 400 IM taking two of the top four spots as Nolan Slesnick and Josh Saccurato finished second and fourth, respectively.

In women's action, Boston U. leads the pack with 476 points but UMBC sits in an extremely close second with 472 points. New Hampshire is within striking distance thanks to a pair of wins on day three with 425.5 points. Vermont holds steady in the fourth spot finishing with 264 points. Stony Brook (215), Maine (207.5) and Binghamton (191) round out the team standings.

UMBC clawed back from 23 points down to start day three thanks to three total victories. Abbey McKenney followed up her title defense in the 50 free last evening by successfully defending her 200 free crown tonight with a time of 1:49.29. Klara Pavelkova claimed the top spot in the 100 backstroke (56.00) before McKenney anchored the Retriever's 400 medley relay team to gold as well.

Boston U. remained in the lead, however, because of strong balance throughout the day. Amanda Schmitz and Kara Zebrowski turned in the Terriers' top individual finishes, placing second in the 400 IM and the 100 backstroke, respectively. Boston U.'s 400 medley relay team finished third in 3:46.70.

New Hampshire freshman Katie Mann broke the meet and conference record in the 400 IM tonight with a time of 4:14.10 to follow up her record-breaking 200 IM swim last night. The Wildcats also got a win from Grace Borchers, who finished the 100 fly in 55.82. A second-place finish in the 400 medley relay has New Hampshire in the hunt heading into the final day.

Binghamton rookie Corinne Zotter picked up the Bearcat's first win of the weekend, taking the top spot in the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.89.

The final day of competition begins Sunday morning at 10 a.m. from the Boston University Aquatics Center.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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