November 3,  2001

HAMILTON, N.Y. - The Colgate University men's and women's swimming and diving teams swam to mixed results as the women defeated their Army counterparts 129-115, while the men fell 179-62.

"Pure drama. That is what this meet was all about today," Coach Roberts commented. "You get one or two meets like this a season where the outcome going into the meet is uncertain. This team knew it would be a battle of will."

The Colgate women were paced by freshman Meghan Binder (Sudbury, Mass.), sophomore Alice Garnett (Wilmette, Ill.), and junior Elizabeth Gaffuri (Albany, N.Y.).

The women were forced to rally down from an early deficit, and responded with remarkable poise and clutch performances. 

Roberts was extremely proud of the way the women swam especially in the second half of the meet. "They should be recognized for their ability to rally while down. After the 1st round of diving, (the 6th of 13 events) and with the score in Army's favor 70 to 42, the entire team pulled off one of the best 2nd halves of a meet I have ever witnessed. We continued to chisel away at that lead for the remainder of the meet."

Binder swam to two first place finishes in the 200 butterfly in a time of 2:09.99 and in the 200 breaststroke in 2:28.36. She also finished in a respectable second place to Raider teammate, Garnett in the 200 IM.

Garnett edged out the 200 IM victory in a time of 2:10.81 and also took first in the 200 backstroke in 2:09.53.

Gaffuri managed to squeak by Army's Ashley Dellavalle in the 100 freestyle in a time of 54.92. Gaffuri also narrowly missed the 200 freestyle title when she took second to Army sophomore Garrett Shannon.

Shannon kept the Black Knights in contention with an impressive morning winning the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle.

On the men's side, Colgate only managed to win one race as Army's senior led squad swam to victory. Army seniors Dan Downs (200 IM and 200 breaststroke), Nick Duncan (1000 freestyle), and Lucas Meyers (200 and 500 freestyle races) all took first in their respective events. Army freshmen Steve Miller, first in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and Sebastian Rodriguez, first in the 200 butterfly, also helped Army to victory.

"The men's team did well against a very tough team from West point today. I was pleased with the way they raced today despite only winning one event, " Coach Roberts said. "Several of the races were extremely close. Army was able to bring it home just a little better than we did today."

Colgate's lone victory came from freshman Brett Nichols (Berkeley Hts.) in the 200 backstroke, who was the only swimmer in the race to break the two minute mark, winning in a time of in 1:59.29.

Nonetheless, Roberts remained optimistic seeing positive characteristics in several of his young swimmers as they continued to drop times. "Guys like Mike Schierhold, Mike Balestra, Mike Gentithes and Brett Nichols all did in season best times today. I am very optimistic about the season this men's team is putting together."

In diving, the women split the two events as Colgate sophomore Alissa Bell (Lexington, Ky.) won the three-meter boards while Army's freshman Sarah Get took the one-meter.  On the men's side, however, Army continued its dominating day as senior Matt Lofton swept both the one and three-meter boards, while Colgate freshman Lane Ellis (Warwick, N.Y.) took second in both events.

The Raiders travel to Lehigh next Saturday, Nov. 10 in another Patriot League meet.