UB Swimming Weekly Release

Buffalo Ends 2008-2009 Home Schedule on a High Note

In their final home meet of the season, the University at Buffalo men's and women's swimming and diving teams defeated St. Bonaventure last Friday night 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 finish the season at 4-3 (1-2 MAC). The win for the UB men was their first against St. Bonaventure since 2000.

Jordan Deren

Women Stroke By Bonnies

The women started the meet with a first-place finish in the 400-yard medley relay (3:57.50), followed by an individual gold in the 1000-yard 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-yard freestyle (24.43) and Jessica Ballard's first-place finish in the 400-yard IM (4:34.47). Ballard earned her second win of the night in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:24.46), as did Deren in the 500-yard freestyle (5:10.09). Sam Palma won the 100-yard 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.

Men Have Similar Success

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-yard freestyle from distance specialist Connor Vander Zalm (9:51.60), and a close 50-yard freestyle win from Chad Miller (21.60). St. Bonaventure wins in the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard IM shrunk the Bulls' lead to four going into the first round of diving. A 1-2-3 finish in the 200-yard 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-yard 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 win against St. Bonaventure, the men finish their season with a dual-meet record above .500 for the first time since 2000.

Connor Vander Zalm

Up Next

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.