11/22/2008
Swim & Dive Cruise Past UMass-Dartmouth; Smith & Garr Break Records

WORCESTER, MASS. 11/22/08 - The Clark University women's and men's swimming and diving teams are on a roll. Both squads claimed wins over UMass-Dartmouth to remain perfect on Saturday afternoon.

The Cougar women (5-0) cruised to a 149-88 win over the Corsairs, while the Clark men (4-0) defeated the UMD men, 135-105. It marks the first time in Coach Paul E. Phillips tenure that both teams start the season undefeated through four meets.

"5-0 for the women and 4-0 for the men is fantastic," said Phillips. "But, we have to stay focused on our long term goal for the season. There is still a lot more work that needs to be done."

First-year Erin Smith and senior Kayleigh Lagasse won a pair of races for the Clark women. Smith set a new school mark in the 200-yard freestyle (1:59.96) and became the first woman in Clark history to swim under two minutes in the event. The previous mark was set by Elizabeth Rosen (2:00.01) last year. Smith also won the 100-yard freestyle (56.38), while Lagasse was first to the wall in the 1,000-yard freestyle (11:45.36) and the 200-yard butterfly (2:20.04).

Three other Cougars won single races. Senior Lindsey Stone took first in the 50-yard freestyle (26.01); junior Dana Akerfelds won the 200-yard backstroke (2:21.72); and sophomore Elizabeth Rosen prevailed in the 500-yard freestyle (5:24.56).

Freshman diver Eileen Garcia, a converted gymnast, continues her stellar performance this year with wins in both the 1-meter (227.50) and 3-meter (228.60) diving boards.

Akerfelds, and first-years Morgan King, Karissa Senterfitt and Smith teamed up to win the 200-yard medley relay in a time of 2:00.57.

The Clark men won all nine individual swimming events en route to the victory. Freshman Ryan Garr broke two school records including the winning time in the 200-yard backstroke (1:57.93) and the 50-yard backstroke (24:96) as the lead leg in the second place 200-yard medley relay. Garr also won the 50-yard freestyle (22.04).

Junior Drew Jackson won both the 200- (1:49.15) and the 100-yard freestyle (49.35), while Cooper Hart also took two victories in the 200-yard individual medley (2:09.02) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:26.58). Senior Tim OKeefe finished first in the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:57.68); sophomore Dan Howard took the 200-yard butterfly (2:12.68); and junior Curtis Reid won the 500-yard freestyle (5:25.61) to round out Clarks top individual finishers.

Clark will compete at the Wesleyan University Invitational on Dec. 6-7.