Jan. 17, 2004

Towson, MD-Both of George Mason's swimming and diving teams fell to Towson on Saturday afternoon at the Burdick Pool in Towson, MD. The men (5-2, 3-1 CAA) were defeated by a score of 121-116, while the women's team record dropped to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in CAA competition.

Senior Aaron Krause won the 1650-freestyle (16:05.22), the 200-butterfly (1:53.41), and the 500-freestyle (4:42.23) to lead the Tiger's men's swimming and diving team (7-2, 4-1) past George Mason in a close 121-116 conference meet.

The meet remained a close call throughout the day as the Tigers earned their points in the individual events, while the Patriots won both the one-meter and the three-meter diving competitions. The Patriot men were ahead by 105-96 after the three-meter diving competition, however, Towson then rallied together for wins in the 200-breast (Frank Trionfo) and in the 400-freestyle relay (Chris Martinetti, Trionfo, Chris Will, and Ben Sonley). Towson's relay team won the race with a time of 1:26.39.

Frank Trionfo, and junior Chris Martinetti each contributed a pair of individual wins for Towson. Trionfo also placed first in the 50-freestyle while Martinetti had a solid day for Towson as he celebrated wins in the 200-freestyle and in the 100-freestyle.

Tim Norton and John Appleman led the way for George Mason as Norton won the 200 I.M. and Appleman recorded a first place finish in the one and three-meter diving events. John Merrill also claimed an individual title for the Patriots in the 100-freestyle.

On the women's end, Jen Irby, Alyson Hunt, Liz Lebhertz and Jessika Kluth of the Tiger's freestyle relay team took first in the 400 free-relay with a winning time of 1:39.48 to lead the Tigers (6-3, 3-2) past George Mason.

George Mason opened the meet strong as Rebecca Jemenez, Christy Anderson, Emily Welty, and Samantha Lageveze posted a win in the 200-medley relay event (1:50.34). However, the Tigers then fought back to take wins in the 1650-free (Christine Flood), the 200-free (Lebhherz), and the 50-free (Irby).

Mason dominated the one and three-meter diving portions of the competition as Jamie Downing won both events.

As the end of the meet approached, the score remained painfully close with both teams deadlocked at 113-113 before Towson pulled out a win in the 400-free relay. Other winners for the Tigers included Ashley Bomberger, who recorded a first place finish in the 200-butterfly and Alyson Hunt, who added a win in the 200-backstroke. Irby was the only Towson swimmer to register more than one individual win on the day. Irby also won the 100-freestyle for the Tigers.

The Patriots also had one competitor post multiple individual titles as Anderson came in first in the 200 I.M. and in the 500-freestyle. Liz Ouzts also performed well for George Mason as she swam the fastest time in the 200-breaststroke.

George Mason will return to action on Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. when the Patriots host James Madison at the Aquatic and Fitness Center.