Athletics

SUNY New Paltz Swimming Dominates Local Rival

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The SUNY New Paltz swimming teams swept this afternoon’s men’s and women’s swimming meet against local rival, Vassar College. The men evened their record at 2-2 with a 130-75 victory, while the women remain unbeaten this year at 4-0 with a 138-93 win.

The men swam to first place finishes in all of today’s events, freshmen Chad Santa Maria (Rexford, NY) and Kevin Kent (Beacon Falls, CT) paced the Hawks to their second duel meet victory. Santa Maria continued his impressive start in 2005, swimming to a first place finish in the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.06) and the 500-yard freestyle with a personal best of 5:05.17. Kent also grabbed two top finishes for the Hawks, completing the 1,000-yard freestyle in 11:06.27 and the 200-yard backstroke in 2:19.98. Sophomore Brendan Lown (Bohemia, NY) added two victories of his own, first in the 50-yard freestyle (23.61) and later in the 100-yard freestyle (52.94).

Senior Joanna Masterson (Canandaigua, NY) swam to victory in the 50-yard freestyle (25.62) and the 100-yard freestyle (55.61) to lead the SUNY New Paltz women’s swim team to their fourth consecutive victory to open up the 2005-2006 season. Junior Liz Delia (Oswego, NY) brought home a first place finish in the 500-yard freestyle (5:24.27) and helped freshman Joelle Hopf (Vestal, NY), sophomore Liz Ruggiero (Congers, NY), and Masterson grab first place in the 400-yard Medley Relay (4:10.59).

The SUNY New Paltz swimming teams will compete next at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship Meet, December 2 through 4.