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The University of Maine men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams got off to a great start in their 2007-2008 season this past Saturday as the women’s team slaughtered the University of Rhode Island, 184-116. The men’s team swam very well but was unable to garner enough wins and fell to URI 185-114.
The women started the meet off on a great foot by placing first in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:52.74. Kiki O’Donnell and Mimi Chovanec followed the win by going 1-2 in the 1000 freestlye, Chovanec placing first (10:30.95) and O’Donnell following close behind (10:46.02).
“They both started the meet out with best times,” coach Skip Nitardy said, adding, “they started right off on fire.”
Colleen Miller dominated the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:56.99; Kari Boffa came in a close second with a time of 1:59.02. Both Miller and Boffa continued to rack points for UMaine, placing first in numerous events. Boffa took the lead in the 100 freestyle with a time of 55.17. Miller placed first in the 50 freestyle (25.19), 500 freestyle (5:15.74) and both Miller and Boffa anchored the win in the 400 freestyle relay with teammates Kerstin Fenton and Caitlin Shelley (3:41.17).
The women’s performance kept up as the meet went on, having almost every event dominated by UMaine. Shelley took the win in the 100 breaststroke in 1:08.52, and teammate Megan McLean placed third (1:09.99).
A second and third place wins went to Kerstin Fenton (2:12.08) and Mackenzie Grobmyer (2:12.35) in the 200 fly. Chovanec added another first place win in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:11.31.
Coming close to the end, the women’s team finished 1-2-3 in the 100 fly. Maeg Fisher took first in 1:00.19, followed by teammates Adi Levy (1:00.69) and Grobmyer (1:01.32).
The individual races ended with the 200 freestyle where Grobmyer and O’Donnell took two of the top three spots; Grobmyer placing second (2:16.02) and O’Donnell following close behind with a time of 2:17.02.
“I had a rough season last year so I was happy with my swims today,” O’Donnell said. “It’s my senior year – I’ve got nothing to lose, and I’m having fun with it.”
The men’s team held strong against URI, placing in the top three in almost all events.
“I think that it really was a good meet today because I think everyone was doing their best. The girl’s team won and the guy’s team still looked good while losing,” Cully Wakelin said.
“The boys swam very well; URI is a stronger team,” coach Nitardy said.
Jeremy Bender helped the men’s team in points by finishing first in both the 1000 freestyle (10:07.51) and 500 freestyle (4:55.60) and second in the 200 fly (2:01.55).
“Being my first year in college and with the team its hard to have expectations, but the first meet got me really pumped up for the rest of the year,” Bender said.
Wakelin took first in two events as well, placing ahead of URI in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.50) and the 100 freestyle (48.22).
Jake Kwapiszeski also stood out, placing second in the 100 backstroke (56.87) and third in the 200 backstroke (2:04.94).
The men’s team of Kevin Guetterman, Dan Thornton, Ryan Wonsor and Doug Moulton finished the meet by placing second in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:20.24.
Finally, the men’s and women’s diving teams dominated in the 1- and 3-meter by taking two of the top three spots in all events.
For the women, Megan Barrett took second in the one meter and Samantha Graham took third. Graham placed first in the three meter, followed by Laura Williamson who took third.
Keith Burgie and Isaac Forbes held strong as well. Burgie took the top spot in the three meter, and second in the one meter. Forbes placed third in both events.
On Nov. 10, UMaine will travel to New York where they will face Stony Brook.
Bangor Daily News