Villanova University

Nov. 20, 1999

Villanova, Pa.--- On Saturday, Nov. 20, the Villanova University swimming & diving team hosted La Salle University and Virginia Tech in its 1999-00 season home opener at the Villanova Swim Center. The Wildcat women defeated La Salle, 162-70, but fell to Virginia Tech by a close 123-120 margin. The `Nova men lost to both the Explorers and Hokies in Saturday's meet, 173-60 to La Salle, and 153-83 to Virginia Tech.

The Villanova women's team had five individual victories on the day, with junior Kristen Olson's two wins leading the way. Olson won in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 24.14, and also took the 100 yard freestyle by finishing the race in 51.78. Fellow junior Katie Armitage also got into the festivities, winning the 200 yard individual medley with a first-place time of 2:07.15. The fourth Villanova individual win came by way of freshman Deann Fryberger. Fryberger placed first in the 200 yard breaststroke in 2:20.02. Junior Kate Volz was victorious as well, with a time of 10:07.64 in the 100 yard freestyle.

In women's relay competition, the Wildcat 400 yard medley relay and 400 yard freestyle relay teams were each victorious. The medley relay team comprised of senior Julie Lapinsky, sophomore Valerie Mesplier, and freshmen Katie Long and Fryberger finished first in 3:53.69. The 400 freestyle team of Lapinsky, Olson, Long, and sophomore Christy Welch crossed the line in 3:32.09.

The Villanova women's diving team got a pair of fifth and sixth place finishes. Freshmen Christina Rubino and Anne Lindsay finished fifth and sixth respectively in the one-meter dive, and flip-flopped positions in three-meter competition.

In men's competition on Saturday, the Wildcats received a pair of second place marks and three third-place swimming finishes. Freshman Andrew Harbuck took second in the 200 yard individual medley (1:59.37), while senior Duane Couture was runner-up in the 100 yard freestyle (47.82). Right behind Harbuck in third in the 200 IM was fellow freshman Justin Buland. Placing third in the 1000 yard freestyle (9:51.81) and the 200 yard butterfly (1:55.10) was sophomore Greg King. In men's relay competition, the Wildcat 400 freestyle relay team of Klimas, King, Couture and freshman Jared Rummell was second in 3:12.30.

The Villanova men's diving team was again led by the Wildcats' outstanding junior diver, Brian Mulligan. Mulligan took two second place finishes, with a score of 283.30 in the one-meter dive and 261.95 in the three-meter dive.

Villanova will resume competition on Tuesday, Nov. 23, hosting Yale at 3:00 p.m.