SUNY New Paltz Swimming Splits Season Opener

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz women’s and men’s swimming teams split with Hartwick College this afternoon. The women defeated Hartwick 120-75 to capture their first win of the season. The men fell to Hartwick 76-124 and took their first loss of the season.

The SUNY New Paltz women started out on the right foot with a first place finish in the 200-yard medley relay, junior Katie Rapp (Liverpool, NY), sophomore Regina Davide (Ossining, NY), sophomore Liz Ruggiero (Congers, NY) and senior Joanna Masterson (Canandaigua, NY) finished in 1:57.03.

Delia, Davide, Masterson, Ruggiero, and Rappall placed first for SUNY New Paltz in other individual events. Delia took first place in the 200-yard individual medley (2:17.42) and the 1000-yard freestyle (11:20.52). Davide finished first in the 200-yard freestyle (2:07.47) and Ruggiero finished first in the 100-yard butterfly (1:02.33). Masterson gave the Hawks a first place effort in the 50-yard freestyle (25.46) and the 100-yard freestyle (55.93). Rapp took first in the 100-yard backstroke (1:05.21).

In the men’s meet, Hartwick men swam to first place finishes in all but two events on the day. SUNY New Paltz was paced by a strong performance from sophomore John Fleckenstein (Port Jefferson, NY) who took a first place finish in the 200-yard individual medley (2:09.46).

Hartwick received two first place finishes from Dan Holmberg (Norwich, NY) and Kevin Milkovich (Newburgh, NY). Holmberg finished first in the 50-yard freestyle (22.64) and the 100-yard butterfly (54.75). Milkovich swam to first place in both the 500-yard freestyle (5:12.92) and the 1000-yard freestyle (10:41.84).

Holmberg joined Paul Layton (Burlington Flats, NY), Gregg Ducey (Saunderstown, RI), and Ryan Olsen (Plattsburgh, NY) for a first place swim in the 200-yard medley relay (1:42.94). Kurt Cedo (Breezy Point, NY) captured first place in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:52.12. Craig Leaness (Plymouth, PA) came away with a 100-yard freestyle win for Hartwick with a time of 51.11. Ben Murphy (Meadville, PA) finished first in the 100-yard breaststroke for Hartwick.

The SUNY New Paltz swim teams will return to action Saturday October 29, at Union College for the Union Relays.