November 16, 1998

Villanova, Pa.--- Hosting the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, Nov. 14, in early season swimming and diving action, the Villanova women's swimming and diving team defeated Penn State by the score of 173.5-126.5. The victory was the first ever for the Wildcats over the Nittany Lions. In men's competition, Villanova lost to Penn State 162-50.

Leading the Wildcat women was freshman Maddy Crippen (Conshohocken, Pa./ Germantown Academy) who posted individual victories in three events. Crippen won the 200 yard butterfly with a time of 2:03.44, the 200 yard breaststroke (2:18.00) and the 400 yard individual medley (4:22.15). In the three meets thusfar in 1998, she has won all seven events she has swam in.

Sophomore Katie Armitage (North Haven, Conn./ North Haven H.S.) broke a Villanova pool record in the 1,650 yard freestyle, swimming a time of 16:55.90 to win the event. Armitage tallied a victory in the 500 yard freestyle (5:00.21) as well.

Four other Wildcats also posted individual victories for the Wildcats on the afternoon. Sophomore Kristen Olson (Moon Twp. Pa./ Moon Area) had dual wins in the 50 yard freestyle (23.98) and the 100 yard freestyle (52.01), while junior Tara Brock (Quebec, Canada/ Beaconsfield) won the 200 yard freestyle (1:53.22), Jackie Gruters (Sarasota, Fla/ Cardinal Mooney) won the 200 yard backstroke (2:05.12) and Liz Lauwaert (Burke, Va./ Paul VI) won the 100 yard butterfly (57.97)

In relay action, two Wildcat relay teams took home wins. The 200 yard medley relay team of junior Julie Lapinsky, sophomore Danielle Macejka, Crippen, and Olson swam to victory in a time of 1:47.00. The 400 yard freestyle relay team of freshman Bethany Lavigno, Lauwaert, Brock and Olson was also victorious in a time of 3:30.76.

On the men's side, junior Vince Allegra (Oak Brook, Ill./ Hinsdale Central) was outstanding in defeat. Allegra finished second in the 200 yard freestyle (1:44.40) and third in the 100 yard freestyle (47.93).

The Wildcat will get back into action on Saturday, Nov. 28, as they travel to New Haven, Conn., to face the Yale Bulldogs at 10:00 a.m.