LIVE STATS
RIVERDALE, N.Y.- Coming off back-to-back wins to finish the regular season, the Manhattan men's and women's swimming programs ship off to Buffalo, N.Y. this weekend to compete in the 2011 MAAC Championships at the Burt Flickinger Center.
"I'm looking forward to a super MAAC Championships for both the men's and women's swimming teams," Coach Walter Olsewski said. "The team is prepared to knock some teams off and improve on our times headed into the ECAC Championships in Pittsburgh."
For the men's squad (10-7), expectations are high after a strong season in which the Jaspers doubled their victories from the previous year and shattered numerous records along the way. In sprint and relay events, look for sophomores Robert Varieur, Cullen Balcanoff and Mickey Ruddy, and freshmen Dennis Daly and Chris Fusco to continue their stellar seasons in the pool. Competing as the team's top distance swimmers, freshman PJ Sweeney is set to make Manhattan history as his times should set new marks and put him in the running for strong ECAC qualifying times.
On the women's side (7-9), a blend of veterans and youth have helped the Lady Jaspers make a strong push down the stretch. Despite heavy losses to graduation prior to the campaign, the Kelly green and white have had a solid year, with wins against VMI and Saint Peter's. In sprint events, seniors Debbie Atwell and Rebecca Schwartz, junior Bridget Latino, sophomore Nadine Maher and freshmen Melaine Tam and Vanessa L'Heureux should impress in short and relay events. Picking up the accolades in distance competition, fourth-year member Allaire O'Connor and freshman MaryLynn McMahon are primed for big finishes after recording some of their best times late in the season.
Click here to read more about the 2011 MAAC Swimming and Diving Championships.
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