Saints swim past Golden Knights in season opener

The St. Lawrence University men's and women's swimming and diving teams opened up their 2010-11 campaign in style, defeating the Golden Knights at Clarkson University on Saturday afternoon.

"It was a very exciting start to our season," said Coach Bob Clemmer. "The team is working very hard at practice and this meet was a positive indication of their conditioning as we won many close races, coming from behind or pulling away from the competition at the end of the race."

Men: 115-105

The Saints had six different individuals post first place finishes. Pacing the Saints balanced effort was senior Rob Sibley, who won the 100 free (56.85) and 100 breaststroke (1:11.52) while classmate Jared Pellerin locked up the 800 freestyle with a time of 9:19.84.

Juniors Andrew Hayes and Russ Newton also won their events for the Saints, Hayes (2:06.43) out-touching Clarkson's Mike Rowe in the 200 free and Newton winning the 200 IM with a time of 2:24.29.

Sophomore Alex Root also recorded a first place finish, winning the 400 free with a time of 4:32.81.

In the 200 Medley relay, Hayes, Sibley, junior Jason Dutra and first-year student Luke Peleggi defeated all three Golden Knight teams with a time of 1:56.26.

First-year student Ryan Gakeler posted a score of 93.90 in his 1 meter diving debut, followed by junior Alex Smith with 93.90.

Women: 132-71

The Saints had five different individual winners in the convincing 132-71 victory over the Golden Knights. Three Saints were two-time victors. Senior Katy Kozminski led the Scarlet and Brown with wins in the 50 and 100 free, while junior Katie Spakowski won the 400 and 800 free.

Sophomore Casey Abribat took home the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:10.71. First-year student Katharina Weidhausser posted a solid college debut with victories in the 200 free and 100 butterfly.

Junior Chasity Barcomb led the Saint divers with a score of 153.45, followed by first-year student Katelyn Almon and junior Jaime O'Neill with 134.25 and 119.60, respectively.

The Saints return to action next Friday, October 29th as they host the Skidmore Thoroughbreds in the Augsbury Natatorium. The meet is scheduled to start at 4:00 pm.