SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University swimming teams took on Catholic University of America in their season openers and both came away with opening day losses, as the men fell 161–101 and the women lost to the Cardinals by a score of 160-102.
Men
The men were led by junior Okan Eyigor who took home three first-place finishes on the day. Eyigor won the 100-meter back, 200-meter back, and the 100-meter fly to bolster the Gulls' chances. In all three events, Eyigor started off fast and led the whole way.
Will Gough was the only other Gull to pick up a victory individually on the men's side, as he won the 100-meter free in thrilling fashion, finishing in 54.73, just ahead of Catholic's Matt Wagner.
Individually, Travis Maida also had a strong showing on opening day. Maida came in second in the 200-meter breast stroke, as he finished in 2:49.03. He also finished third in the 200-meter fly (2:30.79).
Newcomer Peter Moyer was able to score for the Gulls in his collegiate debut as he took away second-place finishes in both the 800-meter free and the 400-meter free.
In the 200-meter medley relay, the team of Jake Blazer, Kevin Drury, Maida, and Gough were the second to touch the wall (1:56.43).
As a team, Salisbury picked up another second-place relay finish as the team of Andrew Ward, Gough, Eyigor, and Blazer finished the 200-meter free relay in 1:42.29.
Women
Victoria Radcliffe picked up where she left off a season ago and finished the day with three individual victories. She won in the 200-meter freestyle (2:13.79), 200-meter breaststroke (2:52.59), and the 200-meter individual medley (2:33.09).
To go along with the three individual victories, Radcliffe was a part of the 200-meter medley relay team that bested the Cardinals for a first-place finish. Bizu Baldinazzo, Layne Gable, and Nikky Marders were the other members of the team. Marders posted the fastest leg for the Sea Gulls, finishing her 50-meters in 29.33. Salisbury led the whole way to get the win.
Both Baldinazzo and Nicki Schult came away with two second-place finishes on the evening. Baldinazzo finished the 50-meter freestyle in 28.96 and the 100-meter freestyle in 1:02.98; while Schult did her damage in the 400-meter freestyle (5:03.65) and the 800-meter freestyle (10:23.34).
Maggie Deering took home a second-place finish of her own in the 100-meter backstroke, coming in with a final time of 1:14.54. Freshmen Sami Davidson also had a second place finish for Salisbury, as she swam the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:25.70.
Both teams return to action next weekend for a Halloween showdown and Capital Athletic Conference season opener as they will take on York College of Pennsylvania back at Maggs Physical Activities Center on Saturday, October 31. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
