Nov. 8, 2003

Results

FAIRFAX, VA--George Mason University's swimming and diving teams defeated the University of Delaware Saturday afternoon at the Aquatic and Fitness Center. Mason's women (4-2, 2-1 CAA) edged the Blue Hens with 168 points to Delaware's 132, while the Patriot men (4-1, 3-0) sealed the victory with a score of 170-123.

"I was very impressed with the women today," said head coach Peter Ward. "Delaware is one of the toughest teams in the Colonial Athletic Association and our team stood up and showed that they themselves are a very tough team and do not like to lose at home."

Out of 16 events, the Patriot women collected nine first place finishes. Freshman Rebecca Jimenez (Fairfax, VA) placed first in both the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard backstroke with times of 59.74 and 2:09.21, respectively. Christy Anderson (Jr.; Caledon East, Ontario) swam the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:07.58 for first place and continued her success in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:24.60 to finish first. Senior Jamie Downing (Midlothian, VA) dominated on the boards as she placed first in the one-meter dive with a score of 246.30 and went on to win the three-meter dive with 270.45.

"The divers once again showed their dominance in the conference by sweeping both boards," said Ward.

On the men's side, freshman Tom Koucheravy (Fairfax, VA) broke Mason's record in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 9:41.84, which was 11.80 seconds faster than the second place finisher. The previous record was held by Eric Stehle who swam the event in 9:43.17. Todd Long (Sr.; Bethlehem, PA) garnered a first place finish in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 22.01 and also placed first in the 100-yard freestyle (48.97). Sophomore John Appleman (Fairfax, VA) also had a stellar performance on the boards tonight as he placed first in the one-meter dive (281.92), along with the three-meter dive with a score of 306.60.

"We had a chance to try some new things with the men's team and had some very good results, which was evident with Tom's (Koucheravy) record-breaking performance in the 1,000 free," said Ward.

Both Mason teams will return to action when they host the Patriot Invitational on Nov. 21-23 at the Aquatic and Fitness Center on the campus of George Mason.