Nov. 1, 2002

FAIRFAX, VA ...The Mason swimming and diving team swept its dual-meet with Delaware Friday night at the Aquatic & Fitness Center, with the women winning 135-106 and the men posting a 155-81 victory.

The Patriot women are now 2-0 in dual-meets on the season, while the meet was the men's season-opener.

For the women, Lauren Stinnett (Reston, VA) established a new school record in the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:30.81), and also won the 200-yard butterfly (2:06.11) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:08.19).

Stefani Lubore (Ashburn, VA) was also a multi-event winner for the Patriot women, taking the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.73) and the 200-yard backstroke (2:09.62). It was her win in the 200 freestyle, according to Patriots head coach Peter Ward, which helped his team jump back into the meet after getting down early.

"Stefani's performance in the 200 was fantastic, and I felt that it was very pivotal to the meet," he said. "She just raced hard and out-touched the girl beside her, and that's what it's all about in dual-meets."

On the men's side of the program, John Appleman (Fairfax, VA) set a new school record in the 1-meter dive with his score of 283.65. He also won the 3-meter dive with a score of 284.25.

"John, setting a new school record in the 1-meter and winning the 3-meter, just put together a great performance tonight," said Ward.

Wes Ebanks (St. Charles, IL) and Tim Norton (Virginia Beach, VA) each won two events for the Patriot men, with Ebanks victorious in the 100- (48.37) and 200-yard freestyle (1:45.92). Norton captured the 200-yard IM (1:56.63) and the 200-yard butterfly (1:55.20).

"In his first meet out as a freshman, Tim Norton showed that he is a strong and versatile athlete," commented Ward. "I was excited to see him come out and make his debut like that."

Additional winners for the Mason men were Matt Boyle (Ashburn, VA), who won the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:00.79); David Cooper (Centreville, VA), who took the 50-yard freestyle (21.86) and Nathan Kellogg (Sandston, VA), who won the 200-yard backstroke (1:58.81).

Kellogg, Norton, Cooper and Matthew McGillicuddy (Fairfax, VA) joined forces to win the 400-yard medley relay in a time of 3:32.32.

Additional Patriot women's winners were Sam Ladeveze (Chesapeake, VA), who won the 50-yard freestyle (24.78) and Emily Welty (Williamsburg, VA), who took the win in the 100-yard freestyle (54.60).

Welty, Molly O'Shea (York, PA), Lacy Richardson (Blue Ridge, VA) and Ladeveze teamed up for the win in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:42.76).

The Patriots return to the water tomorrow, hosting William & Mary at 1 p.m.