RIVERDALE, N.Y.- The Manhattan College men's and women's swimming teams opened their 2010-11 season this weekend, competing in back-to-back non-conference meets against Pace University and Lehman College.
The men's team (2-0) got off to a strong start after winning both events in record-setting fashion while the women's squad (1-1) also impressed, getting their first victory in Saturday afternoon's homecoming sweep.
“It was a tremendous effort by the men's team Friday, in one of the most exciting swimming victories in the program's history,” Coach
exclaimed.
"We had several of our new swimmers break records on the first day. After great high school careers, they have come in and been better than advertised."
“For the women, it was a great bounce-back effort on Saturday after falling in their first competition at Pace. There were a lot of impressive performances across the board and for a young team, they have competed well.”
Participating in a dual meet held at Pace University on Friday night (Oct. 22), the Jaspers split the head-to-head competition with the men's team (2-0) proving victorious by a 122-106 final whereas the women's squad (1-1) fell to the Setters, 126-81.
In what was a historic night for the Jaspers' swimming program, the men's team rallied from an 18-point deficit in one and three-meter diving to start the season with a triumph for the storybooks. Behind extraordinary performances from freshmen TJ
M
cCarthy and PJ Sweeney. Manhattan College caught Pace in the score column late and shattered four previously held records in the process.
Making his sprint debut for Manhattan, McCarthy broke two individual school records in the 50-yard freestyle (21.90), 100- yard butterfly (51.85) and another as a member of the 400-yard medley relay (3:42.13), alongside newcomers, Dennis Daly, Chris Fusco and sophomore Mickey Ruddy.
Sweeney, also seeing his first action in distance events, picked up wins in the 500-yard and 1000-yard freestyle and 400-yard freestyle relay. Joining McCarthy in shattering previously standing records, Daly set the new Manhattan College 100-yard breaststroke ledger with a time of 1:01.84.
For the Lady Jaspers, junior Bridget Latino led the way in sprints, swimming an impressive 1:02.96 in the 100-yard butterfly. Also contributing with high marks in their initial races were freshman Vanessa L'Heureux and MaryLynn McMahon.
Following their first away meet, the Green and White returned to Riverdale, N.Y. to take on Division III Lehman College at the Riverdale Day School on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 23).
Swimming against the smaller Bronx-based school, Manhattan took advantage of their depth and talent, sweeping all 11 of the men's races while finishing with a 105-87 score and getting a solid 99-66 result from the women's side.
Off a thrilling first night, the men's group did not disappoint in their follow-up affair. Leading the way, 2009-10 Team MVP, sophomore Robert Varieur
showed off his sprinting abilities in the pool, putting together quality races in the 50-yard (23.12) and 100-yard (50.84) freestyle events.
Building off their virtuoso performances at Pace, McCarthy and Sweeney continued to make their mark in the short and distance events, logging great times in the 100-yard butterfly (55.10) and 1000-yard freestyle (10:33.95), respectively. The 200-yard medley relay consisting of sophomores Cullen Balcanoff
, Mickey Ruddy, Mike Scire and freshman Daly combined to finish first with a time of 1:43.80.
After a difficult beginning to the campaign, the women's unit answered back with a vengeance on day two. Setting the bar early, Latino, L'Heureux, McMahon and fellow first-year swimmer Melaine Tam put the Jaspers ahead to open the meet and by the fifth event, Olsewski's team felt victory was ahead.
One of the key returnees, Latino won the 100-yard butterfly (1:04.83), 200-yard freestyle (2:07.59) and was a member of the victorious 200-yard medley relay unit (2:03.62), along with L'Heureux, Tam and sophomore Nadine Maher.
L'Heureux posted the team's best time in the 200-yard IM (2:21.16) while McMahon's distance finishes in the 500-yard (5:56.80) and 1000-yard freestyle (12:15.21) set her apart from the field. The totals capped a fortuitous first day for the highly regarded duo brought in to help replace last year's talented senior class.
A rookie short distance athlete to watch this year, Tam finished first in the 50-yard (27.65) and 100-yard freestyle (1:00.51) races.
Manhattan College will return to action next weekend (Oct. 29-30) when they travel to Emiitsburg, Md. to take part in the Mount St. Mary's Invitational along with NJIT and the Virginia Military Institute.
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