January 16, 2002

            HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Colgate men’s and women’s swimming and diving team swept Lafayette College in a Patriot League meet Wednesday afternoon at Lineberry Natatorium.  The men’s team (6-4, PL 2-2) won 139-104, while the women’s squad (7-3, PL 3-1) took a 128-113 decision.

            "This meet meant a lot to this team,” said Colgate head coach Bill Roberts.  “Lafayette beat us in the dual meet a year ago.  One of our team goals for the season was to beat at least one more team from a year ago.  This win represents a lot of effort and hard work!"

           On the men’s side, freshman Brett Nichols (Governor Livingston HS/Berkeley Hts., N.J.) lead the way with victories in three events.  He finished first in the 200-IM (1:59.32), 200-back (1:59.14) and 200-breast (2:17.78).

            Other multiple event winners were freshman Rich Derrick (Liverpool H.S./Liverpool, N.Y.), who won the 500-free (4:55.43) and 1000-free (10:17.59), and classmate Lane Ellis (Warwick Valley H.S./Warwick, N.Y.), who captured the one and three-meter dives with 274.88 and 248.78 points, respectively.

            Another strong performance was turned in by junior James Hadley (Exeter/Stratham, N.H.).  He took first place in the 50-free (22.14) and placed second in the 100-free (48.74).

            Colgate’s other first place finish came in the 400-yard medley relay with a time of 3:41.72.  The relay team consisted of sophomore Mike Schierhold (W. Windsor-Plainsboro/Princeton Junction, N.J.), sophomore Andrew Wright (Stratford H.S./Houston, TX), junior Matt Vuturo (Libertyville H.S./Libertyville, IL) and freshman Greg Jachno (Kellenberg H.S./Massapequa, N.Y.).

            In the women’s competition, sophomore Alice Garnett (New Trier H.S./Wilmette, IL) and freshman Meghan Binder (Lincoln-Sudbury H.S./Sudbury, MA) were in the spotlight for the Raiders.

            Garnett finished first in the 200-IM (2:12.76) and 200-breaststroke (2:31.15), while also swimming on the winning 400-medley relay team.  Binder, meanwhile, was the victor in the 200-fly (2:11.16) and joined Garnett on the 400-medley relay team.  She also swam with the 400-free relay team that won its race.

            Sophomore Kay Smith (Brockport H.S./Brockport, NY) and freshman Jenn Busby (Andover H.S./Andover, MA.) turned in strong performances.  Smith captured the 1000-yard freestyle race (10:52.42) and placed second in the 500-free (5:20.11), while Busby swept the one and three-meter dives with 229.73 and 263.85 points, respectively.

            Other key performers were junior Elizabeth Gaffuri (Albany H.S./Albany, N.Y.), who won the 500-free (5:20.34), and senior Hilary Placzek (Westfield H.S./Westfield, MA), who finished first in the 200-back (2:14.09).

            Joining Garnett, Binder and Gaffuri on the winning medley relay team was freshman Catherine Gaffuri (Albany H.S./Albany, N.Y.) with a time of 4:07.39.  Colgate’s winning 400-free relay team consisted of Binder, junior Meredith Erickson (Massey/Windsor, Ont.), senior Mary Salom (Wallingford H.S./Wallingford, PA) and freshman Caroline Curtis (Weston H.S./Weston, MA).  They had a time of 3:42.90.

            The Raiders return to action on Saturday at Bucknell University.