February 20, 2005

LANDOVER, MD- The Georgetown University swimming and diving team wrapped up their final day of competition at the Northeast Conference Championships on Saturday, February 19, in Landover, Maryland. The men claimed the team gold with 1049 points for the second consecutive year while the women finished fourth with 458 points.

The men's competition was highlighted by the individual performance of senior Kevin Walsh, who claimed two first place finishes. Walsh and junior Heath Walden finished first and second in the 200 yard backstroke in ECAC qualifying times of 1:57.71 and 1:59.71, respectively. Walsh also finished first in the 200 yard butterfly where he timed an ECAC time of 1:57.07 and senior Brad Perez finished second in an ECAC qualifying time of 2:00.36. Junior Jon Hayden who finished first in the 1650 yard freestyle in an ECAC qualifying time of 16:35.98. He was followed shortly by junior Kevin Rieffelwho finished second in 17:00.88. In the 200 yard breaststroke, senior Peter Nguyen and senior Brendan Griffin swam to first and second place times of 2:15.04 (ECAC) and 2:17.91 respectively. The men also finished first in the 400 yard freestyle relay where junior Don Ball, senior Daniel Heynen, freshman Peter Myers, and senior Michael Bayer swam to an ECAC time of 3:13.53.

The women's team wrapped up an impressive showing on the final day of events. Freshman Caitlin Colling finished second in the 100 yard freestyle in an ECAC time of 54.06. Junior Corinne Rhodes swam to seventh in the 200 yard breaststroke in an ECAC time of 2:27.55. In the 200 yard butterfly, freshman Claire Nugent and sophomore Laura Sytynk finished fourth and fifth respectively in ECAC qualifying times of 2:10.49 and 2:10.76. Sophomore Liz Nugent placed 11^th in an ECAC time of 2:12.87. In addition, the women's 400 freestyle relay finished third in 3:34.57, composed of freshman Kelcy Poulson, Colling, Rhodes, and junior Katie Amaro.

Georgetown swimming and diving will next compete at the ECAC championships held on February 25-27.

For complete results of the Northeast Conference Championships and for final team standings, please visit www.northeastconference.org