Saturday, December 7, 1996 -- The Loyola Men and Women finished up the first half of their seasons with blow out victories over the St. Peter's Peacocks and Peahens at Jersey City. The men won by a score of 133 - 61, moving their record up to 4 wins and 2 losses. The women won by a 158 - 32 margin, improving to a record of 5 wins and one loss.
The Loyola Men won eight of the eleven events contested in their meet. They established their dominance in team depth quickly, finishing first and second in the opening event -- the 400 yard medley relay -- with the team of Junior Mark Gallagher, and Freshmen Ryan Davis, Ken Sposato, and Vin Massey taking first place honors. Freshman John Moore won the 1000 yard freestyle in a time of 10 minutes, 14.87 seconds. His toughest task came in the 500 yard freestyle when he held off the 1996 MAAC Most Outstanding Swimmer, Karl Rose, for his second win of the meet. Earlier in the meet, Rose took the 200 yard freestyle over Massey and Junior Dave Raver. Junior John Lang won back-to-back events. He won the 200 yard individual medley with Sophomore Michael Machorek taking second. Then he took the 200 yard butterfly with Senior Jamie Bifulco and Sophomore Tim Alt taking second and third. Gallagher, Chris Abrams, and Matt Rufe swept the 200 yard backstroke. Davis and Machorek finished first and second in the 200 yard breastroke.
The Lady Hounds took nine of eleven events en route to their victory. Like the men, they displayed their extreme advantage in depth, taking first and second in both relay events. Freshmen Michelle Russo and Alison Bailey went 1-2 in the 200 yard freestyle. The deep women's freshman class continued to shine as Jen Wood, Christine Gahagan, and Jenny Redfield swept the 50 yard freestyle. Wood took the 200 yard backstroke in a time of 2:17.46 with Senior Alyssa Mugno and Freshman Trista Baxter taking second and third. Gahagan won the 100 yard freestyle with Senior Amy Cole and Freshamn Patricia Doody taking second and third. Pam O'Koren had an outstanding meet, winning the 200 yard individual medley and the 500 yard freestyle. Sophomore Star Moran a nd Doody went 1-2 in the 200 yard breastroke. St. Peter's lone women's star was Danielle Coleman, who won the 1000 yard freestyle and the 200 yard butterfly.
The Greyhounds look forward to a much more challenging second half of the year with meets against Marist, Towson State, William and Mary, and Delaware. Loyola suffered duel meet losses to the latter three of these teams last year. For now, Loyola heads into the winter break in preparation for their Florida Training Trip which will focus them on performing well in the remaining duel meets and at MAAC Championships in February.
Click here for men's times and results.
Click here for women's times and results.
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