UMBC Retrievers Set to Face Bucknell Swimming This Weekend

BALTIMORE, Maryland, October 3. The UMBC swimming and diving squads open up the season with an exhibition meet in Lewisburg, Pa. on Sunday. The Retrievers and Bison are set to begin at 1:00 p.m from the Kinney Natatorium.

Last Year Against Bucknell

On the men’s side, then seniors Mohamed Hussein (100, 200, 400 IM) and Johan Rohtla (50, 100 and 200 Back) won each of their events to kick off the 2013-14 season. Tim Perkins swept the diving competitions for the Retrievers; with Leo Endres (Bamberg, Germany/Kaiser Heinrich Gymnasium) was a winner in the 50 and 100 Breast.

The women were paced by Emily Escobedo (New Rochelle, N.Y./Maria Regina) and Kayla Lilly (Natick, Mass./Medfield), who each won three events. Escobedo was a winner in the 50, 100 and 200 Breast, while Lilly won the 100, 200, and 400 IM.

Corinna Darelius (Rye, N.Y./Rye) picked up a win on the 3 meter board in the diving competition.

Newcomers

The men welcome 12 freshmen to campus for the 2014-15 season. Coach Cradock has brought in a number of individuals who will look to make an immediate impact for the Retrievers. Of those freshmen, five come surrounding areas of Maryland, while Cradock has also gone overseas to bring in a trio of international swimmers.

On the women’s side, ten rookies will enter the pool for the Retrievers. Half of the incoming class (Allison Atkinson, Allie Caulfield, Brooke St. Martin, Carly Waters, and Katie Young) all reside from the state of Maryland. Rory McKenna (Coatesville, Pa./Downingtown West) will come in a look to make an immediate impact on the boards.

Key Returners

The Retrievers will return several swimmers and divers who had strong showings at the conference meets a year ago.

On the men’s side, seniors Ryan Green (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) and Pak Lam Wong (Hong Kong/Kowloon Technical School) swept the diving events at the CCSA Championships. Green took home gold in the 3 meters, while Wong won the 1meter event.

In the pool, senior Rob Breen (Danvers, Mass./St. John’s Prep) took home silver in the 1,650 free, while sophomore Andrew McKissick (Ellicott City, Md./Mount St. Joseph’s) finished in seventh. Sophomore Gregor Sporlein (Bamberg, Germany/Clavius-Gymnasium) won gold in the 100 free, with senior Lauri Kaei (Harjumaa, Estonia/Tallinn Secondary Science) earned bronze in the event.

The women will have junior Corinna Darelius (Rye, N.Y./Rye) return from her NCAA appearance on the diving boards. Darelius swept both disciplines at the America East Championships last season.

Juniors Stephanie Romano (Arlington, Va./Yorktown/Towson) and Courtney Hadden (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Forks) will return after strong showings at the conference meet a year ago. Senior Lexi Coon (Camden, Del./Medford), junior Kristie Langford (Port Hope, Ontario/CDCI West) and sophomore Hannah Sutherland (Kingston, Ontario/Holy Cross Secondary) will also be key contributors to the Retrievers this year.

2013-14 in Review

Last year saw several Retrievers make an impact and take the team to new heights. Emily Escobedo represented the Retrievers at the NCAA Championships, becoming the third female and fourth swimmer overall to compete at the national meet. Several other swimmers competed in national competition, including three men (Ryan Green, Tim Perkins and Pak Lam Wong) and Darelius who competed at NCAA Zones.

The UMBC women posted a 4-3 record in dual meets and then finished second for the third straight year at the America East Championships. During the year, the Retrievers earned wins against Rider, George Washington, Howard, and Catawba. At the America East Championships, freshman Emily Escobedo won two gold medals, as well as a bronze medal, to earn the Most Outstanding Swimmer Award. She was also named the Most Outstanding Rookie.

After a successful 5-2 dual meet season, which included a road win at Old Dominion, the UMBC men inished in second place at the team’s first CCSA Championships in Knoxville, Tenn. During the year, the Retrievers earned wins against Rider, George Washington, Old Dominion, Howard, and Catawba. At the CCSA Championships, the UMBC team broke 12 of 20 program records while finishing second behind the University of the Incarnate Word. The Retrievers swept the four major coaching and athlete awards at the meet (see below).

Rookie Steals the Show

Sophomore Emily Escobedo (New Rochelle, N.Y./Maria Regina) had a break out year for the Retrievers in 2013-14. She became the third female, and fourth swimmer overall, in program history to advance to the NCAA Championships, competing in the 200-yd. IM, 100- and 200-yd. breaststroke events at the national meet in Minneapolis. She finished in 52nd in the 200 IM with a time of 2:00.52 at the NCAA Championships. Emily was named America East Most Outstanding Female Swimmer and Most Outstanding Rookie.

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