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Falcons Sweep Penn State-Altoona; Women Nab First Win Of Year
Posted: 11/14/2009
Results | More Swimming news
Eight individual wins paced Messiah's women Saturday at Penn State-Altoona, helping to the squad's first win.

Altoona, PA — Hitting the road for the first time this season, Messiah head coach Nancy Luley was anxious to see how her teams would respond to the test.

For their efforts, the Falcons men’s and women’s teams receive an A.

And two wins.

After being at home for the season’s first three meets, Luley’s squads took to the road Saturday afternoon, the men’s team defeating host Penn State University-Altoona 123-78 to improve to 2-2 on the season while the Lions dropped to 0-2. Messiah’s women recorded their first victory, 118-84, to move to 1-3 while the PSU-Altoona women saw their record move to 1-4.

“Going on the road is always a bit different, especially for the first time,” Luley said. “Overall, I thought we swam pretty well for the first travel meet. You have to learn how to prepare on the road. Warm-ups are different. Mental preparation is different. It’s just a different experience and I was pleased with how our team handled themselves.

The Falcons responded to the road test as Messiah won 14 of the 18 individual races and three of the four relay races. Messiah’s women won eight of the nine races – including five different swimmers recording first-place finishes. On the men’s side, the Falcons won six of the nine races – with four swimmers being first to finish.

“This was a good meet to be able to have our first road test,” stated Luley. “I felt comfortable going in, and knew we could position ourselves well to come away with the results we were looking for. We were also able to swim different individuals in different races that they may not have been training for. This keeps them fresh and is important for us as we continue to build depth throughout the season.”

Though the women’s team was down five swimmers – using 12 to compete – due to the continued flu-like symptoms that have ravaged the roster, the Falcons were strong.

Senior Stephanie Jury bested her school record in the 1,000-freestyle swim by garnering a 12:30.33, more than 21 seconds better than her previous mark, set earlier this year. Jury also won the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 6:04.47.

“She was excellent today,” Luley said of Jury. “She dropped significant amounts of time in the 1,000 free and it has been neat to see. I am sure we’ll continue to see her improve as the season progresses.”

Sophomore Ashley Bell and freshman Aimee West also recorded two wins for Messiah. Bell recorded a victory in the 50-yard freestyle, turning in a winning time of :27.1, edging teammate Molly Handley (freshman) by .14 seconds. Bell also won the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:08.34, finishing a one-two finish as freshman Kristen Listor placed second. West recorded her victories by winning the 200-yard freestyle (2:13.35) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:15.51).

Handley found her winning ways in the 100-yard butterfly (1:08.11) while freshman Rochelle Blakely won a competitive 100-yard freestyle in 1:01.33.

“I was pleased with our women’s results, especially considering we were a little under the weather,” Luley said.

In the 200-yard freestyle relay, Blakely, Bell, Handley and Jury teamed up to win in a time of 1:51.13.

On the men’s side, freshman Dylan Holford and senior Derek Forster each recorded two individual victories. Holford swam a 1:49.05 in the 200-yard freestyle while setting a school-record in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of :48.68. Senior Braden Brunner provided a one-two punch in the 100-free by finishing second in :49.5.

Forster’s wins came courtesy of the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke with times of 2:19 and 1:07.46, respectively.

Brunner won the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 11:14.55 while Drew Wissler (freshman) won the heart-stopping 50-yard freestyle in :22.38, .01 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher from PSU-Altoona, Jimmy Reilly.

In the relays, the Falcons won both of the men’s events. Senior John Haller, Forster, Wissler and sophomore Zach McArdle won the 200-yard medley relay in 1:44.70. The final event of the day, the 200-yard freestyle relay, McArdle, Anthony Addlelsberger (senior), Haller and Wissler provided a winning time of 1:31.56.

“We are anxious to get back to full strength and get our full roster back,” Luley said. “We have a week to catch our breath and gather ourselves before we take on Albright next Saturday. They are always a perennial contender in the conference so it will be important to be at full strength to give them a run for their money.”

Messiah will host Albright on Saturday in Fredricksen Natatorium. Meet time is slated to begin at 1 p.m.