January 23, 2010

Bulls Takedown RedHawks, 160-131

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men's swimming and diving team defeated MAC rival Miami by a score of 160-131 to improve their record to 5-1 (1-1 MAC) on Saturday afternoon. Josh Meints won three individual events to help lead the Bulls past the RedHawks for just the second time in program history. The Bulls started the meet by honoring their six seniors, including Jordan Matthews, Michael McDowell, Zach Ruske,Kevin Song, Andrew Tamchyna and Connor Vander Zalm, who all swam in their final meet at UB's Alumni Arena Natatorium this afternoon.


In the 200 freestyle, less than a second separated first and fourth place, with Miami taking the win, but Buffalo's Matt Hogan taking a close second with a time of 1:42.81. Hogan later won the 100 freestyle in a season-best time of 46.17. The Bulls gained back some momentum as they took first place in the next three events, beginning with Meints taking the 100 breaststroke in a time of 58.79. Meints was the only triple winner of the day, picking up first-place points in the 200 breaststroke (2:08.43) and the 200 IM (1:55.45) as well. Other first-place finishers included Simon Proudfoot in the 50 freestyle (21.42), Ruske in the 200 backstroke (1:51.16) and Zorsch in the 100 butterfly (51.00).The Bulls started the meet off with a win, as the 200 medley relay ofMatt Schwippert, Meints, Cory Zorsch and Jared Heine edged out Miami's team, finishing first in a time of 1:33.71.Vander Zalm won the first individual event for Buffalo, winning the 1,650 freestyle by fifteen seconds, earning a season-best time of 16:18.86. Vander Zalm also won the 500 freestlye in a time of 4:44.28. 

Colin Patrican held his own against the tough diving competition from Miami, taking third in the three-meter event with a season-best score of 299.18. Patrican came back and won the one-meter event, earning another personal high score of 308.32 to clinch the win. 

 

"Today was a great day for us. We gave them a challenge and it was great to see us come out on top," said head coach Andy Bashor. "We still have a lot to work on in the weeks to come, but I think overall we swam very well today."

 

The men's and women's teams will be back in action next weekend, Friday, January 29, as they travel to Big Four rival St. Bonaventure for a 6:00 pm meet in Olean, NY.