Swimmen fare well during break

By KATE BLASCHAK
Collegian Sports Writer

The men's swimming and diving team split up over spring break --the swimmers traveled to Buffalo, N.Y., and the divers to Annapolis, Md.

The divers were successful at the NCAA prequalifying meet held at the Naval Academy this past weekend. Senior Chris Devine, freshman Drew Jackson, senior Ryan Smith and sophomore Seth Kane took the top four spots, respectively, in the 1-meter dive.

Devine also triumphed in the 3-meter, where Jackson placed fifth, Smith sixth and Kane 10th. The first three qualified for the nationals.

Although Diving Coach Craig Brown said he was pleased with his divers' performances, he said he was a little disappointed that their team goal wasn't achieved.

"We wanted the whole team to make it to nationals," he said. "Seth competed well, but he was nervous and, unfortunately, he didn't hit his last three dives."

The Lion swimmers also had some success over their break. Six swimmers participated in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Invitational on March 2-4, and five of them walked away with lifetime bests.

Sophomore Alex Cunha won the 200 and 400 IM and the 200 butterfly. His time of 1-minute, 50.4-seconds in the 200 IM was his alltime best.

As of yesterday, none of the Lions had qualified for the NCAA championships. Swimming Coach Peter Brown said he will know definitely in a few days.

"I think George (Reimer) and Chip (Berry) are very close to making it in the mile," he added.

Note:

-- Other lifetime bests recorded at the invitational: sophomore Reimer in the 500 free (4:27.4) and the 400 IM (4:00.0), freshman Chris Glenn in the 1,650 freestyle (16.38), freshman Matt Whipple in the 500 free (4:38.2) and junior Joe Caraher in the 100 back (53:00.0).