Crippen Posts Three Victories in Her First Meet Back with the `Cats

Pittsburgh tops Villanova in both the men's and women's competition.

Maddy Crippen tallied three individual victories in her first meet back with the `Cats.

Jan. 20, 2001

VILLANOVA, PA-- On Saturday, Jan. 20, the Villanova University men's and women's swimming & diving teams hosted the University of Pittsburgh in the Wildcats' final home meet of the 2000-2001 season. It was the last home meet for seven Villanova seniors, including Brian Mulligan, Duane Couture, Kristen Olson, Katherine Volz, Katie Gannon, Danielle Macejka, and Katie Armitage.

The spotlight also shined bright on sophomore Maddy Crippen (Conshohocken, Pa./ Germantown Academy), who returned for her first meet back with the Wildcats since 1999. Following a tremendous freshman campaign in 1998-99 that saw her claim an NCAA title, Crippen redshirted the 1999-2000 season to train for the Olympics. She would go on to earn an Olympic berth, becoming the first Villanova female to compete for the United States Olympic Swim Team.

Despite the many highlights of the day for the Wildcats, Pittsburgh came out victorious on both the men's and women's sides. The Panther women defeated Villanova by the score of 131-112, squeezing by the `Cats with a win in the afternoon's final relay event. The Pittsburgh men beat the Wildcat men by the score of 164-71.

The big winner on Saturday for the Villanova women was Crippen, who won all three of her races in the meet. She took first place finished in the 200 yard individual medley (2:06.70), the 500 yard freestyle (4:58.16), and the 100 yard breaststroke (1:04.78).

Olson claimed two victories in the meet, winning both the 50 (23.98) and 100 (52.62) yard freestyles. The final individual win for the Wildcats came from freshman Becky Koch, who took the 200 yard freestyle (1:54.57).

On the men's side, Villanova had two individual victories on Saturday, with Mulligan winning the one-meter dive (289.27), and freshman James Wolczynski taking the 500 yard freestyle (4:47.65).

In relay competition, the Wildcat men's 400 yard freestyle relay team tallied a victory, crossing the finish line in 3:16.75.

Several other Villanova men posted solid individual performances as well, with Couture (200 freestyle), Peter Klimas (100 freestyle), and Jared Rummel (100 breaststroke) each recording second place finished.

The Wildcat swimming & diving team will get back into action on Friday, Jan. 26, traveling to Fairfax, Va., to take on George Mason at 5:00 p.m.