LYCOMING WOMEN FINISH SECOND; MEN SIXTH AT MAC SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

CHESTER, PA – The Middle Atlantic Conference Swimming Championships came to a close at Widener University Sunday evening. Lycoming College completed a stellar season with a second place finish by the women’s team and a sixth place finish by the men’s team.

“We’re very happy and proud of the way both teams performed,” said Lycoming head coach Jerry Hammaker. “It’s been a terrific season. Both teams made huge strides forward in just one year and it was evident with their improved dual-meet records as well as their performance this weekend.”

The Warrior women were paced by Rebecca Fox (Fr./Middletown, NJ; Middletown) who picked up a second place finish in the 1650 freestyle. Her time of 18:32.61 set a new school record, topping her own mark set earlier this season by nearly eight seconds. Lindsay Fahey (So./Rochester, NY; Greece Athena) also placed in the event finishing in 11^th.

Lycoming also swam extremely well in the 100 free, placing three athletes among the top eight. Andrea Rapach (Jr./Pittsford, NY; Pittsford Mendon) finished in third, Erin Patrick (Fr./Media, PA; Penncrest) placed seventh, and Jess Amadore (So./Easton, PA; Wilson Area) followed close behind in eighth.

In the 200 backstroke, Karissa Brown (Fr./Chemung, NY; Waverly) picked up a fifth place for the Warriors. Heather Sayce (Fr./Nashua, NH; Nashua) added an 11^th place finish.

Susan Slepetz (Jr./Wescosville, PA; Emmaus) and Kristin Campbell (Jr./Camp Hill, PA; Cedar Cliff) each placed in the 200 breaststroke, Slepetz finishing in eighth and Campbell in 11^th.

In the 200 butterfly, Karen Turpin (So./West Windsor, NJ; Princeton) placed third and Erin Horsley (Fr./Allegany, NY; Allegany Central) finished 6^th.

The event that secured second place for Lycoming was the 400 free relay. The Warriors placed second in the event while setting a new school record of 3:45.28. The previous mark of 3:46.66 was set in 1997.

“We knew coming in that for us to do well overall, we would have to do well in the relays. We didn’t win any, but we picked up a lot of second places and that’s where we finished overall,” said Hammaker. “I really can’t say enough about how proud I am of the effort of our women’s team. Their teamwork and depth really showed itself all weekend and helped us hold onto second place. Jumping from sixth to second in one season is a tremendous accomplishment.”

On the men’s side, Chris DeZago (So./Sparkill, NY; Tappen Zee) was the Warriors’ top finisher placing fifth in the 1650 freestyle. Jeffrey Field (Fr./Shamong, NY; Shawnee) came in 12^th in the same event.

Other place-winners included Rob Neil (Jr./Dallas, PA; Dallas) and Josh Hogan (Fr./Waverly, NY; Waverly). Neil came in seventh in the 200 butterfly and Hogan placed 12^th in the 200 backstroke. The men’s 400 free relay team also placed finishing in seventh with a time of 3:24.48.

“I’m very proud of the men as well, they swam a very solid meet,” said Hammaker. “The men’s team just lacks depth at this point. We had some terrific individual performances but we just didn’t have enough bodies in the water.”