Senior day yields mixed results

By Anthony Medoro
Collegian Reporter
January 30, 2008

Saturday was senior day at Kirk Pool where the La Salle men’s swimming team defeated Duquesne, 140.5-90.5. The seniors set the pace on their day of recognition in their final home meet at La Salle. The Explorers were led by seniors Grant Chin and John Welsh, who combined for three first-place finishes.

Welsh took first in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 48.58. Chin flew by his opponents in the 200-yard butterfly, capturing first place in 1:58.63. He would also place first in the 200-yard breaststroke, immediately followed by teammates David Ellerson and Chris Tiano, who finished second and third, respectively. Chin would later add a second-place finish in the 200-yard IM as well.

Mike Dao - The women’s medley relay team battles against Duquesne.

Sophomore Brandon Hargraves started the success for the Explorers when he finished first in the 1,000-yard freestyle in 10:08.18. Two events later, junior Stuart Barr ended up in a first place tie with Duquesne’s Rich Ryan, as both swimmers clocked in at 22.42.

To cap off the meet, the Explorer men were victorious in the 200-yard freestyle relay in the day’s final event.

The Explorer ladies put up a strong fight on senior day, but were eventually nudged by Duquesne, 115-108, at Kirk Pool. Junior Carleen Caldwell, sophomore Shannon Duval, and sophomore Dana Reis all earned first-place finishes for the Blue and Gold.

The La Salle women got off to a good start when they secured a first-place finish in the 400-yard medley relay. Two events later, Caldwell claimed first place in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:57.62. The junior would also take second in the 100-yard freestyle.

Reis captured first place in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:15.09. She later added a second place finish in the 1,000-yard freestyle while her twin sister Megan Reis finished close behind taking third in the event.

After placing second in the 200-yard IM earlier in the day, Duval came away with a victory in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:22.07.

Freshmen Holly Biro and Jessica Carbin earned second-place finishes in the 50-yard freestyle and the 200-yard backstroke, respectively. Seniors Katie Gifford and Jaclyn Kubala were honored in a pre-meet ceremony, as it was their final home meet at La Salle.

The Explorer men and women will conclude the regular season this Saturday on the road against crosstown rival Drexel, beginning at 1 p.m.

medoroa1@lasalle.edu