BOSTON – The Boston
University swimming and diving teams made strong moves in the team standings,
overtaking sole possession of first place in both the men’s and women’s
competition after day two of the America East Championship.
In
men’s action, Boston U. entered the day’s events in fourth place but racked up
223 points on day two and now sits atop the leader board with 285 total points.
UMBC is second, just one point behind the Terriers with 284. Binghamton follows
in third place with 200 points as Stony Brook (145 points) and Maine (109)
round out the five-team men’s field.
Boston
U. senior Daniel Kempf propelled the Terriers to their current lead. Kempf
became the first swimmer in America East history to break the 20-second mark in
the 50 freestyle, clocking in at a record-breaking 19.98 seconds to take gold.
Kempf also swam the anchor leg for the Terrier’s winning 200 yard freestyle
relay team.
The
Terriers also raced to second-place marks in the 200 individual medley (Nik
Astashinky) and in the 500 freestyle (Jeffrey Thomas).
The
second-place Retrievers had their own record-breaking performance in the 200 IM.
Mohamed Hussein smashed the meet and America East record with his time of
1:47.64 to pick up 20 points for UMBC.
UMBC’s
Pierre De Waal defended his 500 freestyle crown touching the wall in 4:27.30
while the Retriever men also picked up points from second-place finishes in the
50 free (Stephen Gallagher) and 200 freestyle relay.
Nolan
Slesnick (500 free) and Josh Sacurrato (200 IM) both turned in third-place
finishes to keep Binghamton within striking distance headed into day three.
On
the women’s side, Boston U. jumped into the lead with 256 points. New Hampshire
is a close second at 238.5. UMBC checks in at the third spot with 233 points
and Vermont holds steady in fourth with 150 points. Stony Brook (142 points),
Binghamton (127) and Maine (115.5) complete the field.
The
Terriers and Retrievers entered day two tied for the lead but two Boston U.
wins and three second-place finishes propelled them into the top spot. Amanda
Schmitz and Meaghan Grimes went 1-2 in the 500 yard freestyle. Schmitz won with
a time of 4:50.39 while Grimes was not far behind in 4:50.67. Junior diver
Melinda Matyas won the 3-meter dive title for the second straight year with a
score of 277.85, edging out teammate Chelsea Glincman. Kendra Cheng also
brought home the silver in the 200 IM with a time of 2:02.73.
New
Hampshire made its move into second place after a record-breaking performance
from freshman Katie Mann. The rookie swimmer set a meet and America East record
in the 200 IM with her time of 2:01.32 picking up crucial points for the
Wildcats.
UMBC
took the top spot in two events on day two. Abbey McKenney, last year’s Most Outstanding
Female Swimmer, defended her 50 free title winning with a time of 23.60. The
Retrievers also took gold in the 200 freestyle relay with McKenney swimming the
lead leg.
The
2012 America East Swimming and Diving Championship continues tomorrow at 10 a.m
with preliminary action from the Boston University Aquatics Center.