Villanova University

Jan. 14, 2006

Results

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Villanova swimming and diving team got off to a rough start in its first meet of 2006. The Wildcats traveled to Pittsburgh for a dual meet versus the Panthers and the University of Maryland only to fall to both squads. The women lost to Pitt 240-113 and Maryland 187-161, while the men finished 300-48 and 268-68. Despite the losses, there were some bright spots in the two-day meet as the women posted nine top three finishes and the men had numerous top five finishes.

Jenny Somerville got back into the swing of things winning the first event of the day on Friday clocking in at 17:04.66 in the 1,650 free. Kristina Lennox added another first on the day with a top finish in the 100 fly (55.97). Annie Kelley came in second in the 400 IM with a 4:28.14 and freshman Brie Von Rosendahl made a splash with her second place finish in the 100 breast (1:06.17).

To end Friday's events, the women captured third place in the 200 free relay consisting of Jesse Radtke, Marlee Morden, Whitney Roth and Lennox with a time of 1:37.91.

The women began Saturday trailing the Terps by only ten points but were unable to overcome the deficit. Lennox posted the lone first place on the day with a top finish in the 200 fly with a 2:04.57. The junior also added a second place finish in the 200 free (1:52.50) to conclude her weekend.

Kelley finished second in the 200 IM (2:08.38) and Somerville took third in the 500 free (5:02.04) to round out the day's top performances.

On the men's side, Friday saw two top-five finished for the squad. Sophomore Kiel Costella started out the meet with fifth place in the 1,650 free with a 17:16.69. The last event of the day also saw a strong Wildcat finish, the 200 free relay of Mike Kernicky, James Harrell, Zach Rambo and Matt McLaughlin took fourth clocking in at 1:28.70.

Senior Matt McLaughlin came in at fifth in the 200 free on Saturday with a 1:46.90. Kernicky also came in fifth in the 50 free (22.01), and was a part of the fifth place 400 free relay along with Harrell, Ryan McKenna and Matt McLaughlin.

The team will take a short break before traveling to Syracuse, N.Y. on Saturday, February 4 to swim against the Orange.