Swimming/Diving leaves their mark at ECAC’s

By Kristie Kahl

The swimming and diving teams dominated at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships last weekend as the women’s team brought home new records and ECAC honors.

The women’s team placed second of 25 teams while the men took third place of 25 teams.

“I thought that where we placed this weekend was a great accomplishment for us to do,” said sophomore Kellyanne Tomasula. “We had a lot of setbacks but still pulled through at the end like that.”

Junior Priscilla Modrov placed second in the 200 fly while setting an ECAC record in the 400 IM and two Rider records in the 400 IM and 200 IM. Modrov earned Female Swimmer of the Meet honors and qualified to be considered for the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships.

Junior diver Amanda Burke won the three-meter and one-meter dives before being named Female Diver of the Meet. Adding to Rider’s awards, Coach Dennis Ceppa earned Female Diving Coach of the Meet honors, and Head Coach Steve Fletcher earned Female Co-Coach of the Meet for the Broncs’ second-place finish.

Both Modrov and Burke earned MAAC Female Swimmer and Diver of the Meet awards just two weeks ago at the conference championships.

“Breaking records and winning awards show that no matter who we compete against we have standout athletes,” Burke said. “Our team has some of the best swimmers and divers in the area and it’s nice to get recognized for our ability.”

Also for the women’s team, Tomasula won the 200 back with a time of 2:01.87. Freshman Brianna Burns placed sixth in the 100 free while junior Ericka Kriedel took eighth in the 200 back. Senior Stephanie Cosentino finished eighth in the 100 free while senior Rebecca Sanbower placed 11th in the 1650 free.

For the men, junior Josh Rosenbluth finished second in the 200 back with a time of 1:49.59. Senior Peter Starr placed seventh in the 200 back while freshman Dave Farfan placed seventh in the 200 fly and sophomore Brian Brady took 11th in the 1,650 free.
“This meet was a very relaxed meet,” Burke said. “This meet was a chance to get another personal best and race one more time and just to compete. The training was not as serious as for MAACs, but we did want to do well so we just tried to fix small things and try to get more consistent.”

The women’s 400 free relay consisting of Modrov, Burns, Cosentino and Tomasula finished second with a time of 3:31.56. The men’s 400 relay with sophomore Scott Player, Starr, freshman Drew Modrov and Rosenbluth finished sixth with a time of 3:09.57.
“We had a lot of great swims and everyone was really behind each other at this meet,” Tomasula said. “It motivates you a little more. It’s always good to have your team behind you no matter what happens.”

The women’s team finished 25 points behind Central Connecticut State. The men’s team finished behind Harvard and Johns Hopkins.

“We ended up beating Marist at this meet, both men’s and women’s team, and it was something we knew we could do and we were happy to have that second shot at it,” Tomasula said. “I know everyone agrees that even though we did not win MAACs this year none of us would trade this season for anything.”

The swimming and diving teams have come a long way as the Broncs’ season is winding down.
“This team just keeps getting better and better, and I cant wait to see how next year’s team ends up,” Burke said.