Sea Gulls split CAC swim meet with Seahawks, Turner breaks school record

SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University men's and women's swimming teams split a Capital Athletic Conference meet with St. Mary's (Md.) College in the Maggs Center pool. The men's teams posted a 116-89 victory while the women's team lost, 133-72.

The Salisbury men's team (6-4, 4-2 CAC) claimed seven of 11 first-place finishes on the day as SU topped St. Mary's by 27 points. The Sea Gulls also posted six second-place finishes and two third-place finishes. SU was led by junior Drew Robichaud and senior Benjamin S. Overholt, both of which collected two first-place finishes. Robichaud claimed victory in the 800-meter free (9:26.95) and 200-meter backstroke (2:19.03) while Overholt was the first to touch the wall in the 100-meter free (55.87) and the 200-meter free (2:04.88).

"The men's team swam so well today," said SU coach Jill Stephenson. "We knew coming into the meet that it was going to be close but everyone really stepped it up. They have been working hard and it has paid off."

Senior Brad Buckley won the 50-free (25.50) and junior Mike Ferrari was first in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:44.49). SU saw three swimmers earn second-place finishes in freshman Tim DiFatta (200-meter butterfly, 2:25.95), sophomore Eddie Rubenstein (400-meter free, 4:38.19), and sophomore Tim Metcalf (200-meter free, 2:08.79). Freshman Jason Preston had two third place finishes in the 100-free (2:10.18) and the 200-free (57.72). Sophomore Kyle Miller finished third in the 50-free (26.67) and junior Sean Snee was third in the 800-meter free (9:49.83). The opening men's race of the day, the 400-meter medley relay, saw SU's team consisting of Robichaud, Ferrari, Metcalf, and sophomore Chris Smith take home first place honors with a time of 4:22.32. Metcalf, Overholt, Buckley, and freshman Jason Preston ended the day with a second-place finish in the 400-meter freestyle relay.

"It was a great team effort," said Overholt. "Everyone is swimming fast right now and we are doing great things. St. Mary's always provides a quality competitor. We need to keep swimming harder and faster."

The Salisbury women's team (6-4, 3-3 CAC) was propelled by three first-place finishes, five second place-finishes, and one third-place finish. The meet was highlighted by the record-breaking performance of sophomore Katy Turner in the 200-meter butterfly. Turner set a pool and school record as she touched the wall in 2:31.33. Her first place finish broke the previous pool record of 2:33.02 set by Caris Richmond in 2003.

"I really went after the 200 today," said Turner. "I am only two-tenths off the record for the 100-meter fly but came into today wanting the 200. I swam a good race and am really happy with the way things went."

The SU charge was also led by junior Angie Hammond and freshman Katie Fitzenreiter. Hammond won the 100-meter free (1:05.27) as she edged out SU freshman Jenna Petrella, who was second with a time of 1:05.85. Hammond also received second-place honors in the 50-meter free (29.53). Fitzenreiter won the 400-meter freestyle as she won by over 12 seconds with a time of 4:47.83. Fitzenreiter was second in the 800-meter free (9:52.75). Junior Lindsay Southworth posted a second-place finish in the 200-meter backstroke (2:36.21) and freshman Kelly Closs finished third in the 200-meter breaststroke with a time of 3:02.19.

The women placed second in the 400-meter medley relay as the team of Turner, Closs, senior Raienne South, and freshman Robin Stone finished in 4:50.81. Salisbury also placed second in the 400-meter freestyle relay when Turner, Hammond, Fitzenreiter, and Petrella  finished the race in 4:20.20.

Salisbury will next be in action on Saturday, January 31, against Catholic University. This is the last home meet for the season for the Sea Gulls and their seniors.