BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo's swim team opened the 2001-02 season with a 156-87 Mid-American Conference loss to Ohio University Saturday at Alumni Arena Natatorium.

The Bulls won four of the 13 events in the meet, including three of the first four. However, Ohio's depth took over late in the meet enabling the Bobcats (1-2 overall, 1-0 MAC) to gain the victory.

Leading the way for UB was freshman Aviv Oren (Rison Le-Zion, Israel). In his first collegiate meet, Oren won the 50 freestyle in 22.17. Oren, along with freshmen Evan McCormack (Webster, NY/Webster) and Emir Askan (Izmir, Turkey/Izmir Ozel Turk Lisesi) and junior Mike Szyprowski (Hamburg, NY/Orchard Park) propelled the Bulls to a victory in the first event of the afternoon, the 200 medley relay in 1:37.45. Oren also finished second in the 200 breaststroke in 2:14.38.

Other individual winners for the Bulls included Alan Lowe (Brownsville, TX/Hanna) in the 1650 freestyle in 16:59.13 and Kevin Kotowski (Wilmington, DE/Salesianum) in the 100 freestyle in 48.28. Lowe also placed second in the 200 butterfly in 1:59.46 while Kotowski tied for second in the 50 freestyle in 22.20.

Ohio had three double-winners in the meet. Adam Osweiler took the 200 freestyle (1:46.28) and 500 freestyle (4:55.44). Stephen Stanley won the 200 individual medley (1:57.60) and 200 backstroke (1:58.04). Robert Krichbaum swept the diving competitions, taking the one-meter event with 256.25 points and the three-meter with 262.40 points.

The Bulls travel to St. Bonaventure for a dual meet with the Bonnies on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 1:00 pm.