October 13, 1998

Villanova, Pa.--- The Villanova swimming and diving team opened up its season on Saturday, Oct. 10, traveling to the University of Maryland Baltimore County. The Wildcat women's team defeated the Retrievers 131-101, while the Villanova men fell 141-75.

The Wildcat women were led by sophomore Katie Armitage (North Haven, Conn/ North Have H.S.), and freshman Madeleine Crippen who each tallied three individual victories. Armitage, a Big East Champion in her first season on the Main Line in 1997-98, took home wins in the 400 short course meter freestyle (all events in short course meters), the 200 breaststroke (2:44.43) and the 400 individual medley (5:01.82). Crippen finished first in the 200 backstroke (2:24.90), 800 freestyle (9:01.24) and 200 butterfly (2:19.82). Hailing from Conshohocken, Pa., and Germantown Academy, Crippen is a two-time high school National Champion in the 400 IM.

Several other swimmers had individual victories for the Villanova women as well. Junior Tara Brock (Quebec, Canada), a Canada Games team member in 1997, had two first place finishes on the afternoon winning the 100 (58.73) and 200 freestyles (2:07.74). Sophomore Kristen Olson (Moon Twp., Pa./ Moon Area H.S.) also contributed a individual victory, taking first place in the 50 freestyle (26.88).

Leading the Villanova men's team was junior Vince Allegra (Oak Brook, Ill., Hinsdale Catholic), who finished in second place in both the 100 freestyle (54.20) and 50 freestyle (24.81). In addition, the Wildcat freshman class also made an immediate impact with three rookies taking home second place finishes, including Greg King (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./ Westminster Academy) in the 200 butterfly, Kevin Gall (Barrington, Ill./ Barrington H.S.) in the 200 breaststroke and Frank Quesada (Miami, Fla./ Belen Jesuit Prep) in the 200 backstroke.

Anchoring the Wildcat diving team was senior Tibby Fogarty and sophomore Brian Mulligan. Fogarty won both the 1m (238.05) and 3m (237.45) dives, while Mulligan took first in the 3m dive (255.95) and second in the 1m dive (190.35).

The Villanova swimming and diving team will resume competition on Friday, Oct. 30, as they travel across town to LaSalle to face off against the Explorers at 5 p.m.