Lafayette Rolls Past Lehigh

EASTON, Pennsylvania, November 17. LIZ Geary and Kristen Tyler doubled in the 100 and 200 back and fly, respectively, and also swam on the 400 medley relay team that broke the Ruef Natatorium pool record to lead Lafayette to a convincing 165-129 win over Lehigh in the annual meet between the two schools. The Mountain Hawks claimed a 189-100 decision in the men's events.

The women's squad improved to 2-1-1 as they closed their fall schedule, and the Leopards won the much-anticipated rematch of last year's victory by the Mountain Hawks.

"We trained very hard this week, harder than last week going into the tri-meet with Bucknell and Navy, and our times were about a half-second off those performances which is to be expected," said head coach Jim Dailey, the 2006 Patriot League Women's Swimming Coach of the Year.

"The last Lafayette-Lehigh meet for the seniors was very fulfilling for them," Dailey continued. "All of the seniors swam very well and contributed in every event.

"I thought the men competed hard, swimming against their third quality opponent in the last two weeks. Steve Rubino won the 100 fly, and we had a very good 400 free relay with some great splits. They finished the first semester with a top five list that is almost as fast as it was coming out of Patriot League championships last year."

Lafayette jumped out to a commanding lead, holding a 56-18 advantage through the first four events, on the strength of a one-two finish in the 400 medley relay and a sweep of the top three spots in the 200 free and 100 back.

The 400 medley relay record was set in 3:57.12, with Shelby Grabowski, Geary, Tyler and Katie Kaczka contributing to the effort. Hilary White (1:56.03), Kerry Nichols and Liz Helwig finished first through third in the 200 free, and Geary (1:00.66), Grabowski and Oswald turned the feat in the 100 back.

The 400 medley relay "B" team that finished second consisted of Oswald, Barbara Pennington, Nichols and Marcella Nehrbass.

Lafayette also swept the 50 free, with White winning in 24.40 and Kaczka and Nehrbass following, while Kaczka and Helwig also went one-two in the 100 free. White placed second at the 500 distance. White's time in the 50 was also a new pool record.

Tyler and Sauer led the 200 breast, while perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was Jennifer Weisbrich winning the 3-meter diving with 186.98 points, besting Lehigh's Erin Tormey by 13 points. Weisbrich was second in the 1-meter event.

The 400 free relay was exhibitioned, with Lafayette wrapping up the victory with two events to go. The Leopards would have placed first and second, with the "A" team comprised of Tyler, White, Nehrbass and Kaczka.

Steve Rubino captured the 100 fly and was second in the 200 for the Lafayette men. A host of student-athletes turned in second-place showings, led by John Jenkins (50 free, 200 free) and J.B. Worster (100 back, 100 free). Aaron Lampley was second in the 500 free and third in the 200, while Jenkins was third in the 100 free behind Worster.

Brian Cronise and Kevin Oswalt finished second and third in 1-meter diving, and reversed positions on the 3-meter board.

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