University of Massachusets Athletics
Swimming And Diving Head To Army Saturday
October 20, 2011 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 20, 2011
AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass men's and women's swimming and diving teams head to West Point, N.Y. on Saturday to take on the Army Black Knights. Last week in the season and home-opener against Boston University the Minutemen tied the Terriers, 149-149, and the women fell 177-122.
LAST SEASON AGAINST THE BLACK KNIGHTS
In their 2010-11 home-opener at Joseph Rogers Pool the men and women swept the Army Black Knights. The men won 184-116, while the women won 183-106.
Junior Joey Sbordon and freshman Derek Hursch both continued their early dominance in the pool. Sbordon won the 1000-yard freestyle (9:46.42) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:43.70) and also finished second in the 200-yard freestyle (1:44.12). Hursch, who was named Atlantic 10 Swimming and Diving Performer of the Week the previous week, continued his success by winning the 200-yard freestyle (1:41.46), the 100-yard freestyle (47.19) and the 200-yard IM (1:55.36). In his first two meets of the 2010-11 season, Hursch has swam in six individual events; winning them all.
On the diving board, the UMass men earned a clean sweep in both the one and three meter dives. In the one-meter dive, Jason Cook set a new pool and school record with a score of 334.50, followed by John Clark (259.50) and Adam Duffield (256.72). In the three-meter Cook also set a pool record with a score of 368.25, followed by Duffield (278.85) and Clark (251.18).
For the Minutwomen, freshman Anna Cavanaugh picked up her first three career collegiate individual victories. She won the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.63), the 50-yard freestyle (24.94) and the 100-yard freestyle (53.57).Jessica Starosielec also continued her success by winning the 100-yard breaststroke (1:08.18) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:27.77).
In diving, Molly Elkins and Hannah Swift placed one-two, respectively, in both the one and three-meter dives. In the one-meter Elkins scored a 219.14 while Swift had a 195.75. In the three-meter Elkins scored a 217.87, followed by Swift (197.32) and Ariel Hallisey (171.15).
LAST TIME OUT
The UMass men's and women's swimming and diving teams concluded their season opener against Boston University last week in somewhat of a rare fashion. Coming down to the final relay the men ended up tying with the Terriers, 149-149, while the women fell 177-122.
The women were led in the pool by freshman Katie Arnott and Zoe Judd.
Judd, a native of Acton, Mass. not only helped the 200 medley relay to victory but she also finished first in the 50-yard freestyle (24.53) and second in the 100 free (52.89) and as a member of the 400-yard free relay (3:33.71).
Arnott from Suffern, N.Y., finished first in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:23.49, 6th All-Time) and the 200 IM (2:11.08) and second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.71, 8th All-Time).
On the diving board for the Minutewomen, junior Michaela Butler, coming back after taking her sophomore year off due to injury, was able to sweep both the one and three-meter dives. She scored a 229.57 in the one-meter and a 246.75 in the three-meter.
On the men's side, the meet came down to the final relay - the 400-yard freestyle relay. The Minutemen fought and were able to take second in the event sealing the tie with the Terriers. The group of Colin Mulcahy, Troy Nichols, Joey Sbordon and Peter Sacco touched with a time of 3:11.36.
The Minutemen saw great individual performances from some of the experienced guys and young ones alike.
Sbordon, a senior captain, had a great day posting victories in the 200-yard free (1:43.39) and 500-yard free (4:44.82) and finishing second in the 1000-yard freestyle (9:55.94).
On the other side of the spectrum, freshman Hao Luong had a phenomenal first career collegiate meet. He finished first in the 100 back (52.12), 200 back (1:54.28) and as a member of the 200-yard medley relay (1:35.18).
In diving, Alexander Merkulov and Conor Dunn were able to sweep both the one and three-meter dives. Merkulov came in first in both events scoring a 318.52 (5th All-Time) in the one-meter and a 319.65 (5th All-Time) in the three-meter. Dunn finished in second in both events scoring a 265.73 and 247.05, respectively.
MINUTEMEN SWEEP A-10 WEEKLY HONORS
Alex Merkulov was named Performer of the Week, while Hao Luong was named Rookie of the Week after their outstanding performances in the season-opener against Boston University.
Merkulov receives his first Atlantic 10 weekly honor after sweeping both the one and three-meter dives against BU. He scored career highs in both with scores of 318.52 in the one-meter and 319.65 in the three-meter. He now sits at fifth all-time in the UMass record books in each dive.
Luong, in his first collegiate meet, was able to capture wins in both his individual events: the 100-yard backstroke (52.14) and the 200-yard backstroke (1:54.28). He also picked up the win as the opening leg of the 200-yard medley relay (1:35.18).
SCOUTING ARMY
This season the Army men have posted an unbeaten record of 3-0 in dual-meets while the women have a record of 2-2.
Junior Carter Kelly leads the men's squad. Kelly was named Patriot League Swimmer of the Week last week after winning the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard breaststroke, along with placing first as a member of the 200-yard medley relay against Marist last weekend.
Senior Paige Brink leads the women, she placed first in the 100 fly along with the 400 free relay. She also finished second in the 200 fly and the 200 medley relay.
Meeting every season since the series began in the 2005-06 season the Army men have posted a 4-2 record against UMass, while on the other side the Army women are 1-5 against the Minutewomen.
UP NEXT
After taking on Army both the men and women return home on Oct. 29 to Joseph Rogers Pool to match-up with Stony Brook.
Players Mentioned
