RIVERDALE, N.Y.- The Manhattan College men's and women's swimming teams competed in two dual meets over the weekend, with both squads falling in close contests at Iona College and the University of Bridgeport.
On Friday evening, the Jaspers headed south to New Rochelle, N.Y. to battle Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foe Iona. Despite strong times in several events, Manhattan was unable to pick up enough total points to defeat the Gaels in the pool.
In a tight finish, the men's team (5-5) came up just a bit short, losing by a final score of 127-124. Leading the Green and White in the water were sophomores Robert Varieur and Mickey Ruddy and freshmen Patrick Sweeney and Dennis Daly. Varieur dominated the freestyle events, finishing first in the 50-yard (22.46) and second in the 100-yard (48.49). Ruddy continued where his classmate left off in the sprint competition, winning the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.32
Showing great poise in a big conference meet, Sweeney and Daly proved they could handle the pressure and make significant contributions. Swimming in the medley and backstroke heats, Daly finished first in the 200-yard IM (2:10.63) and second in the 100-yard (1:02.15) and 200-yard (2:17.28) backstroke.
In distance events, Sweeney was victorious in the 500-yard freestyle, ending ahead of the pack with a time of 5:05.60. In team events, the combination of Varieur, Ruddy, Sweeney and sophomore Mike Scire finished No.1 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:32.04).
For the women's squad (3-7), strong individual efforts could not slowdown Iona in a 155-97 defeat. Pacing Manhattan were a pair of freshman and an emerging senior. Participating in the butterfly, fourth-year swimmer Bridget Latino excelled, placing first in the 100-yard (1:03.01) while also garnering second in the 200-yard (2:17.63). In the 200-yard individual medley, newcomer Vanessa L'Heureux topped all swimmers with a final time of 2:21.07.
The other half of the day's youth movement, newbie MaryLynn McMahon turned in a winning time in the 500-yard freestyle event (5:51.98). Saving the best for last, the 200-yard freestyle relay unit of Latino, McMahon, senior Debbie Atwell and freshman Kaitlin Zielaznicki finished first with a time of 1:54.67.
Heading to Bridgeport, Conn. for Saturday's non-conference matchup with Bridgeport, Manhattan saw an equally stout opponent in their final meet of the week.
Going head-to-head in a meter pool, the men's team accumulated a number of strong results but was unable to come out with the victory in a 125-111 loss. After an impressive first go around, Sweeney continued his assault in the water by finishing first in the 400-meter (4:32.32) and 800-meter freestyle (9:17.51). The former time was a new school record in the event. Making it two consecutive days with a win, Varieur swam a superb 54.76 in the 100-meter freestyle. Rounding out the top scores, Manhattan's pairing of Varieur, Ruddy, Scire and sophomore Chris Parker placed first in the 400-meter freestyle relay (3:59.68).
On the other side, the Lady Jaspers were upended by a final score of 128-89. Getting a big afternoon from freshman Vanessa L'Heureux, the Green and White displayed periods of excellence against a talented adversary.
One to watch this season, L'Heureux swam an impressive 3:06.37 to win the 200-meter breaststroke and finished third in the 200-meter backstroke (2:39.27). Adding to their team accolades, Manhattan's foursome of freshmen Melanie Tam, McMahon, Jackie Mamary and senior Kayla Hutzler teamed-up to place second in the 400-meter freestyle relay (4:40.36).
Manhattan College returns to the water on Friday, Nov. 12 when the women's team heads south for a dual meet with Hunter College beginning at 6 p.m. The following day. both teams travel to Fairfield. Conn. for a big-time MAAC battle with Fairfield University. First race is set for 1 p.m.
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