Hawks Swimming Starts Strong in First Session at SUNYACs

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men’s and women’s swim teams traveled to Buffalo NY to the Burt Flickinger Aquatic Center for the 2008 SUNYAC Championships. In the first session of preliminaries, the women’s 200 free relay team of Michelle Coombs, Regina Davide, Allison Wells, and Christine Rieth set a new varsity record of 1:37.21. Their time was also a national Bcut qualifier. Coombs broke her own personal 50 free championship meet record in 23.65. The Hawks had six additional top eight finishes to advance to tonight’s final.
On the men’s side, the 200 free relay received the top seed in tonight’s final. David Gardner, Patrick Rathbun, Bill Papetti, and Zach Lowenstein touched in 1:27.16, just missing the school record set in 1994 of 1:27.11. Gardner and Rathbun are seeded fourth and seventh respectively in the 50 free final this evening. Three additional Hawks qualified in the top eight of their event to advance to the finals.
Tonights final will begin at 6:00 pm.

For full results from session one and to follow along in the finals click here.