Swim Teams Sweep Duquesne

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men's and women's swimming and diving teams opened the dual meet season on Friday with victories over visiting Duquesne at Alumni Arena Natatorium. The UB men won the final event of a close battle to defeat the Dukes, 123-114. The UB women cruised to a 137.5-75.5 victory.

Chad Miller

The UB men trailed throughout much of the meet but fought their way back to forge a 110-110 tie heading into the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. The UB foursome of sophomore Simon Proudfoot , sophomore Jared Heine, freshman Matt Hogan and sophomore Chad Miller jumped out to a quick lead on Duquesne's relayers and won the race by more than six seconds. UB posted a 3:07.69 clocking to Duquesne's 3:13.25 to gain the 11 first-place points and grab the team win.

Zach Ruske

The Bulls also got first-place finishes in the pool from freshman Matt Schwippert and senior Zach Ruske . Schwippert took the 200-yard butterfly in 1:55.71 while Ruske won the 200-yard backstroke in 1:51.63. UB's divers also swept with Colin Patrican taking the one-meter event (269.62) and Kenny Rhoades winning on the three-meter board (308.02).

Jordan Deren

For the UB women, junior Jordan Deren won both distance freestyle races to highlight the Bulls. Deren opened with a victory in the 1,000-yard freestyle in 10:28.05 and followed with a win in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:05.04.

Caroline Simmons

Six other Bulls won individual events for the Bulls. Jessica Ballard won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:55.60. Caroline Simmons took the 50-yard freestyle in 23.93. Alison Schirmers won the 200-yard individual medley (2:09.52).Jessie Koltz took the 100-yard freestyle (51.37) and Caitlin Reilly won the 200-yard backstroke in 2:09.93. Meili Carpenter won the one-meter diving competition with 296.85 points. Simmons also anchored the 400-yard medley relay team to a win in 3:52.93.

Following the meet, UB head coach Andy Bashor remarked about both team's performances. For the men, Bashor said, "They swam well. I'm happy with where we are right now but we need to be better tomorrow." Commenting on the women, he said, "I was very impressed by how they swam today. They stepped it up."

The UB women open Mid-American Conference action next weekend at Miami (OH) and Ohio on October 30 and 31. The UB men face Eastern Michigan at Alumni Arena on Friday, November 6 to open their MAC slate.