UMass Splits With Boston

BOSTON, Massachusetts, November 11. THE men's and women's swimming and diving teams drew a split decision on the road versus Boston University on Saturday as the men's team swam to a 127.5-97.5 victory and the women's team fell 133-110. The Minutemen started the meet strongly and took first in six different events on the day including 1-2-3 sweeps in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 back and 200 individual medley. The Minutewomen fell behind early, but battled strongly in an attempt to rally falling just short.

The women's team could not overcome a blistering start by the opposing Terriers who finished on top in five of the first seven events. UMass received strong performances again from senior Liz Lovejoy (Reading, Mass.) and junior Allison Volpe (Pottstown, Pa.).

On the women's side, Lovejoy won the 200 freestyle (1:56:56) for the second meet in a row. Lovejoy has been dominant in the 200 freestyle as she has now finished first four times in the event in five meets thus far this season.

Senior Mary Jenkins (Acton, Mass.) and sophomore Karen Upperco (Titusville, N.J.) finished first and second, respectively, in the three meter diving event. Jenkins posted 235.13 points on the three-meter board and 260.10 points on the one-meter board. Those totals are both the best of the season for the team and just shy of her career-best marks. Junior Melissa Pond (Wayland, Mass.) took second on the one-meter board with her career-best total of 255.45 points which is the seventh-best performance in UMass history.

Other event winners for the Minutewomen included Volpe in the 50 yard freestyle (24.76), and freshman Kathryne Chalikas (Flemington, N.J.) in the 100 freestyle. The duo also combined with sophomore Christa Narus (Stony Brook N.Y.) and Lovejoy to win the 400 free relay.

The men's team had an impressive outing after a week off. The Minutemen started off strong as the 400 yard medley relay team, anchored by senior Evan Swisher (North Bennington, Vt.), finished first in the opening event.

On the men's side, the depth of the team really shined. In the 50 freestyle event the Minutemen finished in the top four places, with sophomore Kevin Cabriales (Moorpark, Calif.) finishing first in 22.25 seconds. In the 200 individual medley UMass occupied the top three places with freshman Trevor Ziegler (Clarksville, Md.) finishing first (2:00.68). The Minutemen also finished in the top three places in the 100 yard freestyle with Nate Bromage (Three Rivers, Mass.) finishing first (48.37).

Complimenting these outstanding performances were first place finishes by freshman Justin Brooks (Dedham, Mass.) in the 1,000 yard freestyle (10:03.07) and freshman Andrew Willbrant (Londonderry, N.H.) in the 200 yard backstroke (1:58.41).

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