Spartans Register Convincing Wins in Swimming Opener

WINTER PARK, Fla. – The University of Tampa men's and women's swimming teams both opened the 2018-19 season with lopsided Sunshine State Conference wins over Rollins College.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Men's Final: Tampa Spartans 181, Rollins Tars 81
Women's Final: Tampa Spartans 196, Rollins Tars 66
Location: Alfond Swimming Pool | Winter Park, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The meet totaled 28 events, including 14 for the men and 14 for the women.
• Tampa's women took first in 12 races.
• The women took the top three spots in seven of the events.
• The Spartan men took 10 first-place finishes.
• UT's men claimed the top three spots in four races.

TOP PERFORMERS (MEN):

• The 400 Medley Relay was won by Dominic Russo, Youssef Khowessah, Luke Hene and Cameron Newton with a time of 3:31.42. UT also took the second and third spots in the race.
• Brian Valedon won the 1,000 Free in 9:46.92. He was followed by Felix Bartels and Nick Tinucci.
• Hene won a pair of races including the 200 Free (1:46.74) and 500 Free (51.02).
• Brett Saunders won the 100 Back with a time of 52.41 as teammates Russo and Andreas Johnsen were second and third respectively. Saunders would also win the 200 Back in 1:54.72 ahead of Johnsen and Russo.
• In the 100 Breast, Jared Fitzgerald took first with a time of 59.95. Christy Moon was second while Forrest Lundy was third overall.
• Aaron James had a time of 47.11 to win the 100 Free.
• The 200 Breast included a first-place finish by Austin Simpson with a time of 2:10.83.
• Newton won the 200 IM with a time of 1:57.00.

TOP PERFORMERS (WOMEN):

• UT won the 400 Medley Relay from Hana van Loock, Anja Oca, Isabelle Bularca and Molly O'Hara in 3:58.02 as a pair of Spartan teams followed to make up the top three.
• Elizaveta Bazarova won the 200 Free with a time of 1:55.05.
• The 100 Back was championed by van Loock in 59.74. The Spartans took the top three spots as Erin Hixenbaugh and Emily Clesen were the next to finish.
• McKenzie Street won the 100 Breast in 1:05.74 while Oca and Francesca Rusca also made up the top three.
• In the 200 Fly, Victoria Horsman won in 2:09.90.
• The 50 Free went to Megan Waddell as the Spartan came in at 23.97, ahead of Cat Sterlacci and Maureen Moore.
• O'Hara was first in the 100 Free in 54.31, followed by Anna Dzouenko and Jessie Tobin.
• Hixenbaugh won the 200 Back as she was timed at 2:10.20.
• The 200 Breast was won in 2:27.18 by Ali Lombardi. Bazarova was second while Rusca came in third.
• Moore was the top finisher in the 500 Free, winning in 5:05.56.
• In the 200 IM, Sterlacci took top honors at 2:10.89.
• The final race, the 200 Free Relay, went to the Spartans with a time of 1:39.70 from van Loock, O'Hara, Bularca and Lombardi. UT also claimed the second and third spots as well.

UP NEXT:
The Spartans compete in their home opener on Saturday at 10 a.m., against SSC opponent Nova Southeastern University. Video will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.

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