RIVERDALE, N.Y.- The Manhattan men's and women's swimming teams will head into next weekend's MAAC Championships brimming with confidence after back-to-back wins to finish the 2010-11 regular season.
In a dual meet at the Riverdale Country Day School Tuesday, the Jaspers posted their third sweep of the season, defeating Mount St. Vincent College on both the men's and women's side by scores of 113-85 and 82-58, respectively.
"We swam well tonight and had some of our athletes continue to improve on their times," Coach Walter Olsewski said. "We are looking forward to the MAAC Championships and being competitive at that level after a great season."
After helping secure the program's 500th win in their previous meet, the men's team (10-7) continued where they had left off. Dominating both short and long distance events against the Dolphins, Manhattan picked up first place finishes in eight different events.
Freshmen Chris Fusco (50-yard freestyle) Nick Delpino (50-yard breaststroke) and PJ Sweeney (500-yard freestyle), and sophomores Chris Parker (100-yard freestyle), Mickey Ruddy (50-yard butterfly) and Cullen Balcanoff (200-yard medley) all proved victorious in their events. Making history, Balcanoff's time of 1:00.06 in the 100-yard medley broke his previous school record.
In relay events, the team of Fusco, Delpino, Ruddy and sophomore Robert Varieur placed first in the 200-yard medley. In the 200-yard freestyle, Varieur, Fusco, Ruddy and classmate Mike Scire topped all with an impressive time of 1:36.45.
On the women's side (7-9), junior Bridget Latino and sophomore Nadine Maher willed the Lady Jaspers to victory with four combined wins against the Riverdale-based school. Setting the stage in individual events, Latino picked up a first place finish in the 100-yard freestyle, while Maher topped all with personal bests in the 50 and 100-yard backstroke events.
Adding to the mix, freshmen Vanessa L'Heureux (200-yard medley) and MaryLynn McMahon (500-yard freestyle), and senior captain Debbie Atwell (50-yard breaststroke) all gained nine points with victories in short and long distance events. In relay competition, the team of L'Heureux, Atwell, Latino and freshman Melanie Tam won a convincing 200-yard medley with a time of 2:03.03. Ending the meet the way they had started it, the foursome added a top finish in the 200-yard freestyle event.
Manhattan will have a week off before competing in the MAAC Championships in Buffalo, N.Y. on Feb. 16th.
To follow Manhattan Athletics on Twitter, go to twitter.com/GoJaspers or visit Manhattan's Facebook fan page
