Army Vs. Stony Brook, Vermont

WEST POINT, New York, October 3. THE Army swimming & diving teams kicked off the 2008-09 season, Friday night, hosting Stony Brook and the Vermont women at Crandall Pool.

The Army men defeated Stony Brook, 161-120, while the women also edged the Sea Wolves, 71-69. Vermont swept Army (100-40) and Stony Brook (94-46).

"I am very proud of the way both our teams opened up the season tonight," said head coach Mickey Wender. "We are a team with no superstars, but have a lot of heart and character. The way we fought and were tough across the board showed me what kind of season we are going to have this year."

The Army men were led by four triple winners in senior captain Jeff Tolbert, freshman Chuck Zhou, junior Chuck Ciliske and freshman Cody Blickle. Tolbert took top honors in the 200 (1:43.98) and the 500 freestyles (4:45.79) while swimming a leg on the victorious 400 free relay (3:14.51). In his first collegiate meet, Zhou swept the 100 (54.15) and 200 (1:56.76) backstrokes, while joining juniors James McLaughlin, Stewart Glenister and Ciliske on the winning 200 medley relay (1:37.87).

Ciliske also touched the wall first in the 100 free (48.00) and joined Tolbert, Blickle and junior Matt Leegan on the 400 free relay. Blickle added first place efforts in the 50 free (22.23) and the 100 butterfly (53.12) along with a second-place finish in the 200 IM (2:00.90).

In addition to his relay work, McLaughlin was fastest in the 200 breaststroke (2:10.71), while finishing second in the 100 breast (59.00) and third in the 200 IM (2:02.37).

Senior Zach McLain swept both diving events, compiling a 251.05 on 1-meter and a 254.25 on 3-meter.

Sophomore Will Blickle swam a 1:59.26 to win the 200 IM, after finishing runner-up in both the 100 back (55.27) and the 200 back (1:58.93), while senior Cary Cohan registered a first-place effort in the 1,000 free (10:01.41), and touched third in the 500 free (4:54.61).

Freshman Taylor Whitten rounded out the Black Knight event winners, taking the 200 butterfly (1:58.66), while also cruising to second in the 1,000 free (10:06.67).

On the women's side, junior Lindsey Adao had a strong showing in both diving events, taking top honors on 1-meter (262.10) and 3-meter (260.25). Sophomore teammate Katie Woodhams also had a strong opening meet, finishing second on 1-meter (177.85) and third on 3-meter with a career-best 187.55.

"Lindsey had two big wins for us today," said Army diving coach Ron Kontura. "Breaking 260 on both boards in the first meet was a great way to start the season. "Watching Zach compete when, a year ago at this time, he was recovering from a serious neck injury was special as well. He will be the leader of our young men's team for the rest of the year."

In the swimming events, freshman Paige Brink enjoyed a strong collegiate debut, winning the 200 IM (2:12.80), while finishing second in the 50 free (25.12) and third in the 100 back (1:02.03). She also joined sophomores Corrine Payne and Cortney Heaps and freshman Leigh Rosenberger on the second-place 400 free relay (3:38.14) that clinched the win over Stony Brook in the final event of the evening.

Payne swam to third in the 200 free (1:56.51) and the 500 free (5:14.44) along with a fourth in the 1,000 free (10:53.23), while Heaps added a third-place showing in the 100 free (55.34) while touching the wall fourth in 200 free (1:58.51).

Junior Amy Tang swam to top honors in the 100 fly (59.30), before taking third in the 200 fly (2:17.16).

Special thanks to Army for contributing this report.

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