01/12/2008
Men's Swimming & Diving Fall in Double Dual-Meet;

WELLESLEY, MASS. 1/12/08 - The Clark University mens and womens swimming and diving teams competed in its first meet in five weeks on Saturday. The Cougar men dipped to 3-5 overall after falling to Vassar College (158-128) and Wheaton College (160-89), while the Clark womens team dropped to 4-5 with losses to host Wellesley College (185-104), Vassar (146-134) and Wheaton (199-94) in Wellesley, Mass.

"We swam very well in our first meet back from the trip," said head coach Paul E. Phillips. "Wellesley and Wheaton are two of the top teams in our conference, and Vassar is also strong. We had some great performances in some very competitive situations, which is extremely encouraging."

Junior Drew Jackson (Chestertown, Md.) and first-year Elizabeth Rosen (North Attleboro, Mass.) were Clarks only top individual finishers. Jackson won the 200-yard backstroke (2:06.83), while Rosen captured the 200-yard individual medley in a time of 2:22.95.

Sophomore Taylor Morono (New London, N.H.) had a solid showing for the Cougars. He placed second in three different freestyle events, including the 50-(23.63), 100-(52.02), and 200-(1:54.45). Jackson and sophomore Curtis Reid (Shrewsbury, Mass.) also finished second in the 100-yard backstroke (57.76) and the 1.000-yard freestyle (11:25.54), respectively. Competing in his first meet since returning from abroad, junior Tim O'Keefe (Lee, N.H.) took third in the 1,000-free (11:33.60) to round out Clarks top finishers.

Rosen not only picked up a second place finish in the 200-free (2:03.46), but she also earned fourth all-time in the event. First-year Britney Wigley (Newport Beach, Cali.) took second in the 1,000-free (11:13.25) and third in the 500-free (5:25.93), both good for fourth and third all-time, respectively.

Wigley also teamed up with Corri Stewart (Avon, Conn.), Kayleigh Lagasse (Pawtucket, R.I.) and Lindsey Stone (Avon, Conn.) to place second in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:59.17).

In diving events, Jess Baker (Queensbury, N.Y.) placed fourth on the 3-meter board with 179.05 points.

Overall Clark garnered 32 season-best and 15 career-best performances in the meet.

Clark will host Brandeis University on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.)