Nov. 6, 2008

Amherst, Mass. - The men's and women's swimming and diving teams will travel to New York on Saturday for the second week in a row to take on Binghamton. The meet will begin at 11 a.m., as both the men's and women's teams look to remain unbeaten against the Bearcats all-time. The men faced Binghamton for the first time in team history last season and started the series between the two schools with a 171-129 victory. The women's team faced the Bearcats for the second time ever last season, taking them down by a 190-108 score. Both teams return most of their top finishers from last year' meet and will look for even more top finishes this year at Patricia A. Saunders Aquatic Center.

Everybody's winning
The men's swimming team has not lost a dual meet yet this season and has successfully claimed victory over Boston University, Army, who they best for the first time ever this year, and Stony Brook. They will look to continue their winning ways as they head back to New York this weekend to face Binghamton, brining along their winning individuals as well. Junior Juan Moliere (San Juan, P.R.) has been one of the most consistent performs for the Minutemen so far this season. Though he only competed in one individual event last week against Stony Brook, he still remains undefeated in the 50 free and has not been beaten in the event since last season. Freshmen Joey Sbordon and Jason Cook have been a couple of the best additions to the team this year. Sbordon, a Franklin, Mass. native, has yet to be beaten in any of his individual events and refuses to step down from the top spot. Sbordon has competed in four different individual events so far this season while also bringing home various weekly honors as well. Cook, on the other hand, has dominated the diving board for the Minutemen and has been a major help to filling the void that was left by last year's Most Outstanding Diver R.J. Rappe. Cook placed second in his first career dive at BU and has taken over the board since. The Amherst, Mass., native has placed first in every diving event at every meet since that first meet.

Last year against Binghamton
Junior Juan Moliere and sophomore Michael Berthaume led the way for the Minutemen against Binghamton in last year's meet at home. Moliere dominated the sprints winning both the 50 and 100 free events while Berthaume took first in both the 100 and 200 fly.

Andrew Willbrant and Max Bulter all also contributed to the win for the Minutemen each placing first in the 100 and 200 back respectively while also adding second-place finishes as well.

The women's team placed many different swimmers all over the pool against Binghampton in last year's meet. Christa Narus brought him two first-place finishes in both the 200 fly and 500 free. Elizabeth Walsh also notched two first-place finishes as she competed in the200 free and 200 breast. Kathryne Chalikis brought home a first-place finish in the 50 free as well as two other second-place finishes.

Karen Upperco led the way for the diving team as she remained undefeated all-time against Binghamton winning both the diving events in last years meet. Sarah Horstmann and Anne Fogerty split the second and third-place spots in each event.

Last time out
Last weekend the UMass men's and women's swimming and diving teams made the trip to New York to take on Stony Brook and they returned to Massachusetts improving their already winning records against the Seawolves with another win. Many of UMass' top performers took more of a leadership role outside the pool at this meet as many of the freshmen and underclassmen took over for the win.

Though the women's team was led by juniors Elizabeth Walsh and Kathryne Chalikis in the relays and their respective backstrokes and free sprints, other underclassmen like Jessica Starosielec, Jennifer Corriveau, and Chelsea Downing all stepped up. Downing notched her first career win as she placed first in the 400 IM while Starolsielec and Corriveau continued with their top finishes in the respective events.

Senior diver Karen Upperco took the week off allowing senior Sarah Horstmann and sophomore Anne Fogerty to take over on the board. Fogerty won both the diving events with Horstmann right behind her in second-place.

The men's team placed numerous swimmers in all different events and were led by senior Nate Bromage and freshman Joey Sbordon. Bromage helped both relay teams to top finishes while also placing first in the 200 fly as well. Sbordon competed in his usual 200 free and swam the 100 free for the first time placing first in that as well.

Freshman Jason Cook led the way for the men's diving team as he finished first in both diving events and teammates Adam Duffield and Byron Johnson placed directly behind him.