Oct. 20, 2005
Fairfax, Va.--George Mason University's swimming and diving teams will compete in their first dual meet of the season on Oct. 22 in a Colonial Athletic Association match-up against Delaware at the Aquatic and Fitness Center at 1 p.m.
Both Mason teams opened up their season at the Potomac Relays on Oct. 14 on the campus of Georgetown University. The men's team placed second with a total of 81 points, while the women's team finished in third (61 points). On the men's side, six relay teams garnered second place finishes and the 1,000 freestyle relay team consisting of Tom Koucheravy (Jr.; Fairfax, Va.) and senior Tim Norton (Virginia Beach, Va.) placed first with a time of 9:41.02. For the women, the 200 yard medley relay team of Rebecca Jimenez (Jr.; Fairfax, Va.), junior Liz Ouzts (Newport News, Va.), freshman Morgan Hall (Alexandria, Va.) and Sarah Bizer (So.; Annandale, Va.) finished first with a time of 1:50.36, while the 300 yard backstroke team of Jimenez, Allie Smith (Fr. Winchester, Va.) and junior Justine Blaho (Macedon, N.Y.) placed second (3:04.00).
During the 2004-05 campaign, each Mason squad recorded a flawless conference dual meet record of 7-0. The women concluded the year with an 8-2 overall record and the mend ended with an 8-1overall mark. The conference championships were held at the Aquatic and Fitness Center (Feb. 23-26) on Mason's campus for the sixth-straight year. The Patriot women won its fourth-straight league title, while the men's team mirrored its effort from the previous season as Mason earned a second place finish.
Mary Campioli earned CAA Diver of the Year in 2005, which made it the second-straight year for a female Patriot to receive this honor. In addition, Koucheravy was tabbed as the conference Male Swimmer of the Year. Amanda Fielding earned CAA Female Rookie Diver of the Year and Stephen Lepsch was named league Rookie Diver of the Year on the men's side. In addition, Campioli was named Outstanding Female Diver of the CAA Championships.
Ward and his staff coached six CAA champions and the Patriots won 11 total events at the conference championships in 2005.
The Patriots will return to action when they host both East Carolina and William & Mary on Oct. 29 at 1 p.m.
