For Immediate Release: February 22, 2009
Contact: Ian Milne (sports1@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-2956

Men's Swimming and Diving places third, the Women sixth at the America East Conference Championship

[Day one results...]
[Day two results...]
[Day three results...]

BOSTON, Mass. -- Senior Brenno Varanda and freshman Nolan Slesnick led the way again for the Bearcats each touching first to highlight the Bearcats efforts on the final day of the America East Conference Championships at the BU Aquatic Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The men placed third overall, while the women came in sixth.

Varanda won the 200 breast in conference record time (2:00.63) with senior Andrew Palumbo right behind in third place (2:03.55). Varanda has won this event four years straight, and was recognized for his efforts with the Coaches Award. Slesnick won the 1650 free (15:41.03), while fellow Bearcat freshman Dan Feeley placed eighth (16:31.33). Slesnick was honored with the newcomer award for his wins in the 1650 free, his conference record win in the 400 IM and a third place in the 500 free.

Sophomore Jason Chen placed fourth in the 200 back (1:51.28) with senior Sean Lorenz taking seventh (1:52.76) and sophomore Kevin Kearney took eighth (1:53.23). Sophomore Matt McCort took sixth in the 200 fly (1:55.31) and teammate senior Peter Rodrick was seventh (1:55.45).

The women were led by sophomore Amanda Ciccone who came in seventh in the 100 free (52.20). Freshman Margaret Rakoczy, placed 14th in the 1650 free 18:07.04, followed by teammate sophomore Kelsey Anderson in 15th with a time of 18:18.09.

Freshmen Tricia Alejandro placed 12th in the 200 back (2:09.21), and sophmore Lyndsi Worthington finished 16th (2:11.54).

The Bearcats had three finalists on the one-meter board. Freshman Jenna Easton placed fifth (421.80), senior Kate Hassfurter came in sixth (406.75) and sophomore Liz Esposito placed eighth (385.55).

"We were great; this is by far the fasted the conference has really been. I think that just shows the strength and balance of our program," head coach Sean Clark commented. "We really showed the breadth of our excellence."