RED HAWKS SPLIT WITH WPU IN DUAL-MEET FINALE

Wayne, NJ (2/9/08) – The Montclair State men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams closed out their regular-season dual meet schedule with a split against local rival William Paterson University on Saturday at the Wightman Pool. The MSU women topped the Pioneers, 159-139 behind the triple-winner performances of senior Kristine Bates ( Clark, NJ / Arthur L. Johnson) and freshman Galina Loutchouk ( Richboro, PA / Council Rock). Meanwhile, the Montclair men were clipped by William Paterson, 151-149.

The victory helped the MSU women finish with a 5-6 record while the men’s squad closed out its slate at 6-7.

Bates took first in both the 100 and 200 freestyles with times of 56.40 and 2:04.21, respectively while Loutchouk won the 100 freestyle (11:38.00) and the 200 individual medley (2:22.00). Also for Montclair State, Brittany Cole ( Linden, NJ / Linden) won the 500 freestyle as she posted a time of 25.70 while Laura Spadoni ( Nazareth, PA / Nazareth Area) captured the 100 breaststroke (1:12.03). Laura Flynn ( Andover, NJ / Lenape Valley) and Tracey Keelan ( Toms River, NJ / Toms River North) finished in the top two spots of the 200 butterfly, respectively with time of 2:23.77 and 2:33.41. MSU also went first and second in the 500 freestyle as Jessica Patalano ( Edison, NJ / Bishop Ahr) won with a time of 5:41.22 followed by Loutchouk (5:49.12).

But despite winning 10 of the 16 events contested, Montclair only held a 145-137 lead heading into the final event – the 400 freestyle relay. The Red Hawks would come up big as they went 1-2 in the event as the quartet of Loutchouck, Bates, Cole and Raquel Erwin ( Ridgewood, NJ / Ridgewood) took first place with a time of 3:57.82. Kaitlin Muchler (Vineland, NJ / Vineland), Patalano, Creena Sprague (Barnegat, NJ / Southern Regional) and Liz Nelson (West Caldwell, NJ / Caldwell) touched in right behind clocking in at 4:06.73.

On the men’s side, the Red Hawks won nine of 16 events, but fell just short.

Senior Ricky Miller (Seaside Park, NJ / Monsignor Donovan), and juniors John Adams (Wharton, NJ / Pope John XXIII) and Jon Kurtz (Stockholm, NJ / Vernon Township) were each triple winners for MSU. Miller won the 500 freestyle (5:12.11) and the 200 individual medley (2:07.00) while Kurtz posted wins in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.57) and the 200 breaststroke (2:23.35). The duo then comprised half of the 200 medley relay team that finished took the top spot with a time of 1:44.77. Blaise Lacca ( Sewell, NJ / Washington Township) and Derek Henrichsen (West Allenhurst, NJ / Ocean Township) swam the third and anchor legs on that team.

Adams collected his two individual wins in the 100 backstroke (56.91) and 200 backstroke (2:11.92) before teaming with Lacca, Henrichsen and Matt Hyde ( Clifton, NJ / Clifton) for a victory in the 400 freestyle relay (3:23.00).

Kevin Growney (Rockaway, NJ / Morris Hills) recorded the other individual victory for MSU as he took first in the 200 butterfly (2:14.81).

The Red Hawks are now off until Friday, February 22 when MSU takes part in the Metropolitan Swimming & Diving Championships which will be held at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.