UMass Shares Wins With Fordham

AMHERST, Massachusetts, February 3. THE men's swimming and diving team continued on with their winning ways while the women's swimming and diving team fell in a meet versus Fordham on Saturday. The men's team swam to a convincing 192.5-104.5 victory while the women lost 170-128 in spite of a late push. RJ Rappe, Trevor Ziegler, and Evan Swisher led the team to victory with great performances in their respective meets. The Women's diving team picked up the slack for the minutewomen with yet another sweep of the diving events. Karen Upperco led the way with two first place finishes in the one-meter and three-meter events.

The Minutemen got off to a fast start as the team of Trevor Ziegler, John Weaver, Zach Priest, and Chris Howard placed first in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:36.93. This quick start was matched by Fordham as the Coombs brothers Justin and Ryan placed first in the next two events. Their efforts were not enough as the minutemen took the top three spots in the 100 yard backstroke. Trevor Zeigler placed first with a time of 53.50 while Andrew Willbrant and Mike Berthaume finished second and third respectively.

The Minutemen put the event away with a strong finish that saw eight different swimmers place first. Derek Castellana had his best time of the year in his first place finish in the 200 Butterfly (1:56.79) and Chris Howard took the 50 freestyle in his best time of the year (22.08). RJ Rappe continued with his outstanding season as he finished first in the one-meter (296.33) and three meter (288.08) diving events.

All in all the minutemen won nine out of the last eleven events.
On the women's side Karen Upperco continued with her impressive diving performances with her two first place finishes in the one-meter (264.38) and three meter (279.90) diving contests. Her finish in the three-meter event was the best point total of the year for The UMass women's team.

The minutewomen got off to a slow start and put themselves in an early deficit. Karen Upperco jump-started the team with her victories as they won the last two events. Samantha Demty finished first in the 200 Yard IM (2:12.24) and Kathryne Chalikis placed second in the event (2:12.24). This victory was followed by a first place finish in the 200 freestyle relay. Elizabeth Walsh, Kathryne Chalikis, Allison Volpe, and Liz Lovejoy were members of the team that finished in a time of 1:40.03.

The men's swimming and diving team returns to action in the ECAC Championships February 18th while the women return to action in the Atlantic Ten Championships February 21st.

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