Oct. 14, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Navy women's swimming team began its season by winning seven of the nine events contested at the Potomac Relays Friday night on the American campus in Washington, D.C.

"We swam very well for a first competition of the season," said Navy head coach John Morrison. "We received many good performances and the girls showed a lot of versatility. It was also nice to see our freshman class contribute during their first collegiate event."

The Mids opened the meet by winning the 200-yard freestyle relay in a pool-record time of 1:38.18. The foursome of Rachel Gray (Jr., Latrobe, Pa.), Aubra Thomas (Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa.), Thuy-Mi Dinh (Fr., Anaheim, Calif.) and Sara Dorenkott (Fr., Hudson, Ohio) won the race by over 1.6 seconds.

After winning one of the next three events, the 800-yard freestyle relay, Navy posted wins in each of the remaining five races at the event. The run started with a four-second win in the 300-yard backstroke relay and was followed by a back-to-back two-second triumphs in the 300-yard breaststroke and 300-yard butterfly relays. The Mids then closed the meet by winning the 200-yard medley (by 1.2 seconds) and 400-yard medley (by 10 seconds) relays.

A total of 12 Mids were part of at least one victory on the night, with five swimmers totaling three or more wins. Topping the list was team captain Thomas and Mallory Dietrich (Fr., Pittsburgh, Pa.) with four victories apiece.

Navy's first dual meets of the season will take place Saturday when the Mids compete at Loyola against George Washington, Catholic and the host Greyhounds.