H20unds Invitational Day One

BALTIMORE, Maryland, November 30. THE Loyola men's and women's swimming and diving teams opened the H2Ounds Invitational with a measure of success at the Mangione Aquatic Center. The Greyhounds, along with MAAC foe Marist, Delaware and Drexel are neck-and-neck after 12 events with two sessions remaining on Saturday.

"The team responded well to the pressure of a very competitive meet," said Head Coach Brian Loeffler. "I am anticipating our energy level will carry over to tomorrow's session."

Loyola jumped out to an early lead with a quick start in the Men's 400 Medley Relay. Freshman Sam McQuaid led off the relay with a time of 52.22, and teammates Matthew Fralinger, Ozzy Torres and Brad Reeser followed with solid times of their own to give Loyola the victory in 3:29.01 – the second fastest time in program history.

"Sam got us off to a great start with a record in the first relay. He set the tone for the remainder of the session," added Coach Loeffler.

Freshman Jacob Drannan also posted a Top-5 time for Loyola with his second-place finish and time of 1:58.76 in the 200 IM. Teammate E.J. Verrico took third in the event in 1:58.80.

For the women, freshman Caitlin Cassidy won the 50 Free in 24.57, while sophomore Melissa White (2:14.48) and junior Tori Kamauff (2:13.51) took second and third respectively in the 200 IM.

Apart from the night's scoring, the big story in the pool came from freshman Phil Scholz, a blind swimmer who set two American S11 short course records in the 500 Free (5:53.46) and 50 Free (27.22) events. Scholz' classification of S11 is the highest level of blindness, meaning he is completely blind.

Scholz and the Greyhounds will resume competition on Saturday morning with the first of two session beginning at 10 a.m.

Special thanks to Loyola for contributing this report.

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