October 27, 2001

HAMILTON, N.Y. - The Colgate University men's and women's swimming and diving teams took 19 first place finishes to defeat Holy Cross by scores of 143-98 and 158-83, respectively.

"A great team effort was put forth today," said Colgate head coach Bill Roberts.  "We had many student-athletes who swam very well. Being a league meet, I am especially proud of what they were able to do in the water."

Freshman Meghan Binder (Sudbury, Mass.) had three first place finishes in the 200 IM (2:13.81), 200 butterfly (2:13.30) and 200 breaststroke (2:29.81).

On the men's side, Matt Vuturo (Libertyville, Ill.) won both the 200 IM a (2:01.75) and the 200 breaststroke (2:16.54)as well as being a part of the first place 400 medley relay (3:40.30) with Dan Guttentag (Greensboro, N.C.), James Hadley (Stratham, N.H.) and Greg Jachno (Massapequa, N.Y.) .

Several of Colgate's wins came from freshmen.  Katie Finnegan ((Huntington, N.Y.) took first in the 100 free (11:19.80),  Caroline Curtis (Weston, Mass.) was first in the 100 free (55.70), Jachno won the 100 free (50.67) and Brett Nichols (Berkley Heights, N.Y.) finished first in the 200 backstroke (2:00.45). 

"It was great to see people like Katie Finnegan, Meghan Binder, Caroline Curtis, Greg Jachno and Brett Nichols get their first individual wins at the collegiate level," said Roberts.  " I am extremely proud of all of our first-years."

In diving, Colgate Lane Ellis (Warwick, N.Y.) swept both the one and three-meter boards with Chris Johnson (Crestwood, N.Y.) and Michael Aphibal (Mukilteo, Wash.)  at second and third respectively.  Alissa Bell (Lexington, Ky.) won the three-meter competition and took second in the one-meter.

"Coach Leone's divers did a terrific job today against Holy Cross," Roberts said.  "Chris, Mike and Lane are simply a fantastic group."

Other first place finishers for Colgate were Kay Smith (Brockport, N.Y.) , Hilary Plazek (Westfield, Mass.), Elizabeth Gaffuri (Albany, N.Y.), Alice Garnett (Wilmette, Ill.) and Rich Derrick (Liverpool, N.Y.).

"Several swimmer's dropped some descent time in their events this week. They deserve a lot of credit for being able to come back from both a tough meet to Syracuse a week ago and a viscous week of training," Roberts said of his squad.  "People like Heather Schwartz, Hilary Placzek, Kendall Gonsalves, Jenn Young and Mike Gentithes were a few of the many from this tough group."

The Raiders host Army Saturday, Nov. 3 in another Patriot League meet.