Bulls Stroke By Bonnies

Bulls end 2008-2009 home schedule on a high note

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams defeated St. Bonaventure in their final home meet of the season tonight at Alumni Arena Natatorium. The women beat the Bonnies by a score of 139-97 to improve their record to 7-2 (3-2 MAC), while the men won with a score of 131-111, to improve their record to 4-3 (1-2 MAC). The win for the UB men was their first against St. Bonaventure since 2000.

Jordan Deren

The women started the meet with a first-place finish in the 400 medley relay (3:57.50), followed by an individual gold in the 1000 freestyle from Jordan Deren (10:36.21). St. Bonaventure took first in the 200 free, but the Bulls bounced back with a win from Jessie Koltz in the 50 freestyle (24.43) and Jessica Ballard’s first-place finish in the 400 IM (4:34.47). Ballard earned her second win of the night in the 200 breaststroke (2:24.46), as did Deren in the 500 freestyle (5:10.09). Sam Palma won the 100 freestyle for the Bulls, in an impressive 53.72. Diving was highlighted by a sweep from Meili Carpenter, scoring 309.30 on the one-meter board, and 328.28 in the three-meter event.

Connor Vander Zalm

The men also picked up an early lead, winning an exciting 400 medley relay (3:31.63), followed by a first-place finish in the 1000 freestyle from distance specialist, Connor Vander Zalm (9:51.60), and a close 50 freestyle win from Chad Miller (21.60). However a St. Bonaventure win in the 200 freestyle and 200 IM shrunk the Bulls’ lead to four going into the first round of diving. A 1-2-3 finish in the 200 backstroke, from Zach Ruske (1:52.07), Andrew Tamchyna (1:56.35), and Jake Sangren (1:58.51) propelled the Bulls, as did another win from Vander Zalm in the 500 freestyle (4:42.49). Michael McDowell took care of the diving for the men, winning the one-meter event with a score of 338.54, and the three-meter event with a score of 324.37.

With the men’s regular season complete, they will take the next three weeks to prepare for the MAC/Sun Belt Championship meet, starting on February 16 in Nashville, TN. The women will finish up the remainder of their schedule on the road, taking on MAC rivals Bowling Green and Toledo next weekend. The Bulls will meet the Falcons (with Youngstown State) next Friday, February 6 at 5:00 pm, and then make the short trip to Toledo for a 1:00 pm meet on Saturday, February 7.