UMBC Men Edge Navy; Navy Upends Women’s Squad

BALTIMORE, Maryland, October 19. THE 400-yd. free relay team of sophomore Lauri Kaei (Harjumaa, Estonia/Tallinn Secondary Science), junior Evan Carey (Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island), and seniors Steve Gallagher (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) and Mohamed Hussein (Cairo, Egypt/Victory College) won going away to clinch the meet victory as the UMBC men's swimming and diving team downed Navy, 156-144, Friday evening at the UMBC Aquatic Complex. The UMBC women's team lost a close decision to the Mids, falling 164-136, despite freshman Corinna Darelius (Rye, N.Y./Rye) sweeping the diving events.

The men's win was the first for the UMBC swimming and diving programs over the U.S. Naval Academy since the women defeated the Mids on Oct. 29, 2005 and the first for the men since winning by one point, 122-121, in 2004.

“I am so proud of our teams tonight,” said head coach Chad Cradock. “We knew it was going to be a fight and be close all the way until the end because it always is with Navy. I'm so excited for our teams for the win and the effort and I hope we can keep the momentum rolling.”

The men's 400 relay capped a great day for the Retrievers' relay teams as the Black and Gold won all four of the relay events.

Twelve different Retrievers won individual events on Friday, paced by three victories for Hussein. The junior once again showed his versatility, winning the 200 free (1:41.60), 100 fly (51.11), and 200 IM (1:52.81) while also anchoring the 400 free relay.

No other men won more than one event, but contributions from the whole squad earned the team victory. Kaei and countryman junior Johan Rohtla (Tallinn, Estonia/Tallinn Secondary Science) each picked up their first event wins of the year, winning the 100 back (52.32) and 200 back (1:52.31), respectively. Freshman Leo Endres (Bamberg, Germany/Kaiser Heinrich Gymnasium) won his second career event, claiming victory in the 100 breaststroke (59.34).

UMBC swept all four of the diving events, led by Darelius' two wins on the women's side. The freshman won the 1-meter event with a score of 234.90 and followed it up with 229.43 points for the 3-meter win.

For the men, sophomore Carson Wong (Hong Kong/Kowloon Technical School) won his first career event, the 1-meter competition, with a score of 277.65, while senior Andrew Eckhoff (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) won the 3-meter event, scoring 295.12 points.

Also for the women, senior Amy Fay (Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill) claimed the top spot in the 500 free (5:06.16) while classmate Jennifer Kotonias (Burtonsville, Md./Academy of Holy Cross) won her first event of the season, the 200 butterfly (2:04.76). Junior Erika Ronning (Western Springs, Ill./Lyons Township) also picked up a win for the Retrievers, earning the victory in the 100 free (53.72).

UMBC now has two weeks off from competition before heading down I-95 to take on George Washington on Saturday, Oct. 27 in Washington, D.C.

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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