KINGS POINT, N.Y. - After taking tough losses on Friday, the Jaspers looked to get back to their winning ways on Saturday as they visited the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Unfortunately for Manhattan they were sent to their first losing streak in more than a month. The women fell 125-107 while the men were upended 144-93 at King's Point.
The women (5-5) were anchored by freshman Michaela Schatz and senior Vanessa L'Heureux who returned from illness. Schats took the victory in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 2:08.88 seconds while teaming with L'Heureux to come away with a win in the 200 freestyle relay. L'Heureux also picked up an individual win in the 50 yard free with a time of 26.92 seconds. Kim Geissler and Nicole Maher were also part of that 200 free relay team. The Jaspers also saw victories Kerry Schuermann in the 100 back (1:05.64 seconds) and Brianne Grant in the 100 yard free (57.89 seconds).
On the men's side, James Kelly broke his own program record in the diving earning 167.25 points, eclipsing his old mark of 145.80 points at last year's MAAC Championships. The Jaspers (7-3) began the meet in solid fashion winning the opening event, the 200 yard medley relay. The team of Cullen Balcanoff, Dennis Daly, Lance Neuendorf, and Robert Varieur finished the event in 1:40.21 seconds, narrowly beating the USMMA by 0.47 seconds. However, Manhattan would not see a top-place finisher in the next six events, giving USMMA the advantage. Varieur would break the streak for the Jaspers with a 48.32 second finish in the 100 free. Neuendorf also came away a victor in the 100 back with a time of 55.60 seconds, while Daly placed first in the 100 breast.
Manhattan will next be in action on Jan., 13, 2013 when the Jaspers travel to the San Diego State Aquatic Complex for a meet with Colorado Mesa State. That meet will be the 1000th in the history of Manhattan swimming. Combined, the Jaspers are 533-462-4 all-time in both men's and women's swimming.