Oct. 20, 2011
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Two of the top local swimming and diving programs will square off Friday afternoon when Navy takes on UMBC in a 4 p.m. dual meet at the UMBC Natatorium in Baltimore. The two UMBC teams were selected to sweep the team titles in the America East Conference this season, while the Navy men's team was picked to win the 2012 Patriot League crown and the Navy women's squad was tabbed for second place in the league this year.
UMBC will be providing a live video stream of the meet for the cost of $5.95. A link to the multimedia offering can be found at NavySports.com.
Navy won both meets against UMBC last season in Annapolis, with the men posting a 158-131 victory and the women winning a 161-131 decision. The two Navy programs combined to win 25 of the 32 events contested on the day against the Retrievers.
The Navy men's team returns five swimmers who combined to win eight individual events against UMBC last year. Headlining the list is Mac Anthony (Sr., Allentown, Pa.), who won the 100, 200 and 400 freestyle races. Joining Anthony with multiple victories last year was Luke Hoffer (So., Chapel Hill, N.C.), who swept the two breaststroke events. Additional returning Navy swimmers to record a victory last year are Mark Mayer (Sr., Bethesda, Md.), winner of the 200 butterfly; Robbie Parker (Jr., Vienna, Va.), who won the 50 free; and Ben Bondurant (Jr., Atlanta, Ga.), who picked up the victory in the 200 individual medley.
"UMBC coach Chad Craddock and his program always defend their home pool extremely well," said Navy men's swimming head coach Bill Roberts. "We expect many good races Friday, just as we always have during this meet."
The Navy women's squad also returns a pair of swimmers who tallied multiple victories during last season's meet with the Retrievers. Laura Gorinski (Jr., Greensburg, Pa.) won the two breaststroke races a year ago while Toni Paruso (Jr., Savannah, Ga.) won the 50 free and 100 fly events.
Five other Mids claimed one event win on the day. Swimmers to record a victory last year were Rheanna Vaughn (So., Aliso Viejo, Calif.), 800 freestyle; Kellie Darmody (Jr., Charlotte, N.C.), 100 backstroke; and Olivia Kosaka (So., Burien, Wash.), 200 back. Navy also swept the two diving boards against UMBC last year as Jordyn Nicholl (Jr., Acworth, Ga.) won the one- meter board and Courtney Vandament (Sr., Coppell, Texas) recorded the victory on the three meter.
"This will be a big challenge for our team," said Navy women's swimming head coach John Morrison. "Everyone on our team will have to be ready to go and be competitive. We are looking forward to the challenge."
The four respective teams have combined to post a 5-1 record this season. Both UMBC squads have recorded wins over Rider, both Navy teams have picked up wins over Loyola, the Navy men have defeated George Mason and the Navy women suffered a loss last weekend to James Madison.
