CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--UMBC's Justin Bronson and University of New Hampshire's Amy Perrault earned weekly honors as America East Men's and Women's Swimming Performers of the Week, while UMBC's Seth McNew and Crystal Gall were named America East Men's and Women's Diving Performers of the Week. The conference made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon for the week ending October 22.
Junior Bronson (Oshawa, Ontario, Canada/Msgr. Paul Dwyer) led the Retrievers in their season-opening win over Rider on Saturday with two individual wins and one relay win. Bronson led a Retriever sweep of the 200-yard freestyle, turning in a time of 1:44.37 to outdistance his teammate and closest competitor by over two seconds and then posted a winning time of 47.33 in the 100 free to beat the second-place swimmer by over one full second. Bronson also anchored the Retrievers' 400 free relay which topped the Broncs with a time of 3:15.30.
Freshman Perrault (Kirkland Lake, Ontario/Ecole Catholique Jean-Vanier) broke two pool records and finished first in all six events she swam to lead the Wildcats to a three-win weekend. She broke a Siena pool record in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 24.77 seconds in the first leg of UNH's 200-yard freestyle relay during Saturday's meet with Siena and Niagara. Perrault then broke another pool record in the first leg of the Wildcats' 400-yard freestyle relay in the Wildcats' meet at Wagner on Sunday afternoon. She had first place finishes in the 100-yard freestyle (53.88) and the 200 free (1:57.07) to lead the Wildcats past Siena (144-95) and Niagara (139-78). Perrault placed first in the 500-yard freestyle (5:13.57) and the 200 free (1:56.98) to go along with a first place finish in the 400 free relay (3:43.01), helping the Wildcats' secure a 160-101 win over Wagner.
Freshman McNew (Lakewood, Colo./Lakewood) finished second in the 3-meter and third in the 1-meter diving events in his first collegiate meet on Saturday as the Retrievers earned a season-opening win over Rider. McNew posted scores of 2:19.63 in the 3-meter and 197.10 in the 1-meter.
Freshman Gall (Balgonie, Saskatchewan, Canada/Dr. Martin LeBoldus) placed second in the 1-meter diving event in her first collegiate meet on Saturday as she helped the Retrievers to a season-opening win against Rider. The freshman recorded a score of 247.04, just eight points shy of qualifying for the NCAA Zone Championships.
Team Results:
Binghamton
The Binghamton men's and women's swimming and diving teams return to the Patricia A. Saunders Aquatic Center for the first of eight home meets during the 2007-08 season as they host conference opponent Boston University on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Boston University
The Boston University men's swimming and diving earned a commanding 165- 104 win over Colgate, while the women's squad dropped a 148-146 decision, despite a valiant effort on Sunday afternoon. [Boston Story]
Maine
Both Black Bear teams will open the 2007-08 season on Saturday, when they play host to Rhode Island at Wallace Pool on the Orono campus. The meet will begin with the diving competition at 11 a.m., followed by the swimming events at 12 p.m.
UMBC
The UMBC men's and women's swimming diving teams opened the 2007-08 season with a double-win over Rider University at Coppola Pool on Saturday. The Retriever men (1-0) were victorious over Rider (0-1) by a margin of 170-125, while the Retriever women (1-0) earned a 165-134 victory over the Broncs (0-1). [UMBC Story]
New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire swimming and diving team won each of its three meets this weekend. The Wildcats defeated Siena University 144-95 and Niagara University 139-78 at Siena on Saturday afternoon and finished up the weekend with a 160-101 victory at Wagner College. [New Hampshire Story]
Stony Brook
The Stony Brook swimming and diving teams both experienced losses in an away meet against UMass at the Joseph
Rogers Pool Friday afternoon. The men's team final score was 182-117
while the women lost 186-111.
Vermont
The University of Vermont swimming and diving team defeated visiting Niagara on Sunday afternoon 140-83 in the Catamounts first home meet of the season at Forbush Natatorium. Sophomore Molly MacMillan (Doylestown, Pa.) and freshman Renee Gliddon (Acton, Mass.) each earned a pair of wins for Vermont as the team set two new pool records and one team freshmen mark on the day. With the win the Catamounts improve to 2-1 on the season. [Vermont Story]