Dec. 3, 2007

Results

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Villanova University swimming and diving programs were highly successful this past weekend at Georgetown University. The men picked up their first victory of the season defeating the Hoyas 140-100. The women won in dominating fashion, winning all but one event on the way to a 148-89 victory. The win marks the sixth straight dual meet victory of the season for the women.

Highlighting the women were sophomore Sarah Czar and junior Kerri McIlvain who each broke a pool record on their way to separate victories. Czar picked up a record in the 100 free with a 52.59 snapping the previous record of 53.22 set by Catherine Dale of St. Francis (N.Y.) back in 2002. McIlvain swam her way to victory in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:21.11 breaking the previous record by over four seconds.

Czar also took home a victory in the 200 free as well as the 400 free relay. The other three swimmers on the 400 free team were freshman Astrid Armgarth, senior Tiffany Brown and junior Marlee Morden.

Other first place winners were the 400 medley relay team of Brown, McIlvain, freshman Liz Stetson, and senior Jesse Radtke, Armgarth (1000 free), Radtke (50 free), senior Caitlin Regan (200 IM), Stetson (200 Fly), Brown (200 Back), sophomore Kristine Drysdale (500 free) and junior Lindsay Davis (1-meter diving).

For the men, senior captain Joey Mechak led the way by capturing three individual victories in the meet. Mechak won the 200 free, 200 fly, and 500 free. Senior Mike Hanne greatly contributed to the effort by winning both diving events.

"The biggest factor was our senior leadership," said head coach Rick Simpson. "They not only displayed great leadership out of the pool, but certainly led by example. Joey (Mechak) was simply awesome! He had to come back from behind in all three of his races and just demonstrated to his teammates what persistent and smart swimming is all about."

Other Wildcats winning events were sophomore AJ Mak (1000 free), sophomore Sean Whipkey (50 free), junior John Schaefer (100 free) and the 400 free relay team of Whipkey, Mak, senior Zach Rambo, and Schaefer.

"The sprint corps of Sean (Whipkey), Zach (Rambo) and John (Schaefer) really set the tone with dominating performances," said coach Simpson. "They instilled an electric atmosphere that was present on the 'Nova bench."

Despite the many victories the men also needed strong swims that would not result in wins. Some outstanding efforts came from freshman Tom Maughan in the 200 back, senior Kiel Costella in the 1000 free, 200 fly, and 500 free, and freshman Justin Stephens' 200 IM and 200 breaststroke.

"This was an all around great team effort by our men," said coach Simpson. "Everyone contributed to today's victory. Our diving squad stepped up and had a stellar day. All of our depth swimmers did their part in minimizing any damage that Georgetown could do if they won an event."

The men's team will be back in action December 7 at 5 p.m. as they take on Widener University. The women will not return to action till January 18 as they travel to Pittsburgh to take on both Pitt and Maryland.