George Washington vs. Maryland-Baltimore County

BALTIMORE, Maryland, October 29. THE UMBC men's and women's swimming and diving teams swept George Washington in dominating fashion Saturday afternoon at the UMBC Natatorium. The teams combined to win 24 of 28 total events, as the women cruised to a 137-103 victory, while the men won by a score of 138-112.

Meanwhile, the UMBC divers took on Towson in unscored competition, and junior Andrew Eckhoff swept the men's boards, smashing the school 3-meter record with a score of 354.40. The previous mark of 318.30 was set by Jeff Salgado in 2007. In addition, Eckhoff won the 1-meter board with a score of 335.10, and he qualified for the NCAA Zone Regionals in both events.

On the swimming side, sophomore Johan Rohtla (Tallinn, Estonia/Tallinn Secondary Science) won three events to lead the way for the Retriever men against the Colonials, as he took the 100 back (52.08), the 200 back (1:53.43) and the 200 IM (1:58.01).

Freshman Lauri Kaei (Harjurmaa, Estonia/Tallinn Secondary Science) and Pierre De Waal (Pretroria, South Africa/Tuks Sport/Cleveland State) also won multiple individual events for the men, as Kaei took both the 100 and 200 free in 47.38 and 1:40.97, respectively, while De Waal won the 200 fly (1:43.26) and 500 free (1:54.10). Kaei was also a member of both winning relays, while De Waal was on the victorious 400 free relay team.

Other individual winners for the Retriever men included junior Steve Gallagher (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) in the 50 free (21.76), sophomore Charlie Melesh (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis/Pfeiffer) in the 1,000 free (9:51.60), senior John Mendenhall (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) in the 200 breast (2:09.06) and senior Ben Wolbert (Finksburg, Md./Westminster) in the 100 fly (52.41). Like Kaei, Gallagher was also a member of both winning relays, while Mendenhall and Wolbert were a part of the top 200 medley relay team.

The Retrievers took the top three spots in the 200 fly, as junior Rico Bado (Georgetown, Texas/Georgetown) and freshman Mark Tracy (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) followed De Waal.

In addition, UMBC swept the men's relays, as Kaei, Mendenhall, Wolbert and Gallagher took the 200 medley relay in 1:35.54, while Kaei, Gallagher, senior Andrew Reid (Ipswich, Mass./Ipswich) and De Waal won the 400 free relay in 3:10.48.

The women were led by sophomore Talor Tadena (Orangevale, Calif./Bella Vista) and juniors Jennifer Kotonias (Burtonsville, Md./Holy Cross) and Elise Blaschke (Swell, N.J./Bishop Eustace Prep), who each won two individual events. Tadena won the 100 breast (1:05.92) and the 100 free (53.07), while Blaschke swept the backstroke events, taking the 100 in 59.54 and the 200 in 2:09.67, and Kotonias took both the 1,000 free (10:22.88) and the 200 IM (2:08.24). Tadena was also a member of both winning relay teams.

Other individual winners for the Retriever women included senior Ashley Sippel (Rockville, Md./Thomas Wootton) in the 200 free (1:54.90), junior Tara Morrissette (Somersworth, N.H./Saint Thomas Aquinas) in the 200 fly (2:06.96) and senior Ashley Miller (New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach) in the 50 free (24.72). Miller was also a member of the winning 400 free relay team.

The Retrievers took the top three spots in four events, including both backstrokes, as well as the 200 fly and the 50 free.

UMBC swept the relays, as senior Kathryn Moorby (Cape May, N.J./Lower Cape May Regional), Tadena, senior Laura Tilman (Miami, Fla./Ransom Everglades) and senior Abbey McKenney (Wilmington, Del./Brandywine) won the 200 medley relay in 1:48.18, while McKenney, Tadena, sophomore Erika Ronning (Western Springs, Ill./Lyons Township) and Miller took the 400 free relay in 3:33.78.

The Retrievers return to action in two weeks, as they visit Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 12.

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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