01/31/2009
Coast Guard Splashes Past Men's Swimming & Diving

WORCESTER, MASS. 1/31/09 - Clark University's women's and men's swim and dive teams fell to Coast Guard Academy in the Kneller Athletic Center Pool on Saturday afternoon.

Coast Guard narrowly defeated the Clark women, 137-106, and swam past the Cougar men, 134-94.

Freshman Erin Smith (Carrollton, Tx.) won the 200-yard individual medley and placed second in the 100-yard freestyle (56.87), and senior Kayleigh Lagasse (Pawtucket, R.I.) placed first in the 200-yard butterfly (2:20.28) to lead the Cougars (5-2). Sophomore Liz Rosen (North Attleboro, Mass.) was second in the 500-yard freestyle (5:23.63) and 1,000-yard free (10:59.05), and seniors Jess Cullen (Milford, Conn.) and Lindsey Stone (Avon, Conn.) took second in the 200-yard backstroke (2:23.42) and 50-yard freestyle (26.46), respectively.

Junior Dana Akerfelds (Bronxville, N.Y.) also swam to a runner-up finish in the 200-freestyle in a time of 2:03.27.

Clark's diving corp had another big day on the boards. Freshman Eileen Garcia (New York, N.Y.) and senior Jess Baker (Queensbury, N.Y.) came in one-and-two in the 1-meter event. Garcia, who also won the 3-meter event with 247.10 points, had 211.58 points, while Baker accumulated 184.15 points.

For the Clark men (4-2), senior Sal Pezzella (South Windsor, Conn.) topped the field with 208.53 points on the 1-meter board. Junior Mark Stabile (Saco, Me.) placed second with 188.18 points.

In swim events, sophomore Dan Howard (Bow, N.H.) took second in the 200-yard butterfly race (2:08.23) and freshman Ryan Garr (Kingston, R.I.) was second in the 200-free (1:48.44) and 200-back (2:02.84).

Clark teams will now prepare for an intra-city match-up against WPI on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.).