Oct. 27, 2006

Fairfax, Va.--George Mason University's swimming and diving teams will compete in their first home dual meet of the 2006-07 campaign on Oct. 28 in a Colonial Athletic Association match-up against James Madison at the Aquatic and Fitness Center at 2 p.m.

Last time out, in their first conference dual meet of the year, both Mason swimming and diving teams were defeated by Delaware in Newark on Oct. 21. The women's team was edged out by a score of 156-144, while the men fell by a score of 178-107.

On the women's side, the Patriots placed first in nine out of the 16 events. Junior Sarah Bizer won the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 24.26, as well as the 100 free (54.07). Junior Amanda Fielding placed first in the 1-meter dive event (221.93), which was just .08 of a point ahead of teammate senior Colleen Flack, who won the 3-meter dive event (261.68). In addition, senior Brooke Crowther won the 200 IM (2:12.68) and sophomore Katie Kelly finished first in the 200 breast (2:24.21), the 1000 free (10:21.87) and the 100 breast (1:06.87). Kelly was awarded CAA Female Swimmer of the Week for her efforts against the Blue Hens.

For the men, sophomore Eric Knight beat out Delaware's Matthew Rathbun in just under two seconds to win the 200 breast in a time of 2:15.57. In his first collegiate dual meet, freshman Steven Benecki won the 500 free in a time of 4:55.78, with teammate freshman Robert Kreitler finishing second in a time of 5:08.18.

The Patriots will return to action when they host the CAA Pod Meet on Nov. 3-4 with competition beginning at 4 p.m. the first day and 1:30 the following day.