Swimming: WVU Outstanding at Maryland
November 19, 2005 11:31 PM | General
November 19, 2005
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| Delic |
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The West Virginia University men’s and women’s swimming teams had a very productive three days at the Terrapin Cup Invitational at the Campus Recreation Center Natatorium in College Park, Md., according to WVU coach Sergio Lopez.
The WVU men finished second behind N.C. State with 881 points, while the WVU women placed third behind Connecticut and N.C. State with 537 points.
Lopez says both team’s performances exceeded his expectations for the weekend.
“It was amazing,” he said. “We had outstanding performances all weekend from both the men and the women.”
At the top of the list was sophomore Nick Delic, who captured the 100 butterfly with a school-record time of 47.95 -- which as of Saturday was the fastest clocking posted by anyone in the country this year. The Split, Croatia, native also won the 100 breast with a time of 53.82 and the 200 breast with a time of 2:02.49.
“Nick had a great weekend,” Lopez said. “His time in the 100 breast was the second fastest time in the country as of yesterday.”
Sophomore Pablo Marmolejo was also a multiple winner for the men, taking both the 200 IM (1:49.94) and the 400 IM (3:58.83). Freshman Andrew Langenfield took top honors in the 100 butterfly with a time of 48.99. Lopez was impressed with the men’s performances in the 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relays, although the 400 free relay was disqualified because the judge ruled West Virginia’s second swimmer jumped early.
The women also had strong performances and continue to get better, according to Lopez.
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| Fedyk |
Freshman Rachel Fedyk won the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.73 and the 200-free-relay team of Fedyk, Erin Tudor, Taylor Stallings and Elyse Fischer finished first with a time of 1:35.68.
“I think our girl’s team is really coming along,” Lopez mentioned. “They are building a foundation and I’m convinced that we are going to be one of the top teams in the Big East in a couple of years.”
Lopez estimates as many as "five or six school records" were established this weekend and between 35-to-37 individuals and relays posted qualifying times for the Big East championships.
“By comparison we had 29 Big East qualifiers as of the last weekend of January (last season),” Lopez said. “These last three days were probably the most impressive performances we’ve had since I’ve been here, including last year’s Big East championships.”
Following WVU on the men’s side were Connecticut, Division II power West Chester (Pa.), William & Mary, Maryland, University of Mary Washington and Towson.
The Mountaineer women finished ahead of Richmond, Maryland, West Chester, William & Mary, Mary Washington and Towson.
The WVU women will make up a previously scheduled meet against Marshall in Huntington on Dec. 17. The men resume action along with the women on Jan. 7 against Pitt at the WVU Natatorium.
The two teams will spend the Christmas Holiday training for two weeks in Spain, leaving Morgantown Dec. 26 and returning on Jan. 5.
