FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's and men's swimming and diving teams return home to host Towson and Northeastern in a two-day meet starting Friday at the Jim McKay Natatorium. Friday's session begins at 4 p.m. and Saturday's sessions begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Facing conference opponents for the first time this season, the women's team defeated Davidson 151.5-147.5 on the first day of competition and fell to Duquesne 156-131 on day two of the Richmond Duals two weeks ago.
"We had some really good things come out of Richmond, but there are new challenges this weekend," Mason head coach Peter Ward said. "We're just trying to be better on the second day so we can prepare for the championship at the end when we have to go for three days straight. Our preparation has been to be able to go in all sessions and not just be strong in one."
Senior Sydney Fisher recorded first place finishes in both the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly on both days of competition in Richmond. Junior Dorothy Reilly won the 200-yard butterfly and senior Sarah Brallier touched the wall first in the 200-yard breaststroke on day one of the meet.
The Mason men's team defeated Davidson 230-180 at the Richmond Duals. Junior Alec Morin won the 50-yard freestyle on both days, while classmate Matthew Lynch placed first in the 100-yard butterfly on day two.
Freshman Attila Kiss won both the 500-yard freestyle and the 1,650-yard freestyle over the course of the meet. Freshman Christopher Stankiewicz touched the wall first in the 50-yard breaststroke on day one, while Ryan Donnelly took first in the 200-yard backstroke on the second day of competition.
After winning two events and placing thing in two others at the Richmond Duals, Kiss was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for the second time this season.
The men's and women's relay teams turned in solid performances at the Richmond Duals. The men's team won both the 200-yard and 400-yard medley relay against Davidson. Senior Paul Helfgott won both the one-meter and three-meter springboard diving events two weeks ago.
Helfgott and Fisher have also earned Atlantic 10 weekly honors this season.
"We are always using meets throughout the season as stepping stones toward the championship at the end," said Ward. "It always exciting for our team to swim at home. Towson is a strong opponent and has been the CAA champion several times, so this weekend will be a good test."
Last season, the Patriots met Towson and Northeastern in a quad meet along with Drexel at the Jim McKay Natatorium. The Mason women's team earned a 183-169 win over Northeastern. Both the Patriot's men's and women's teams fell to Towson.
Mason started quick on day one, winning five of the 12 events during the first session. The Patriots men's and women's 200-yard freestyle relay teams each turned in a solid performance. Steven Craig won the 200-yard IM (1:54.45) with Evan Owens finishing second. Craig was second in the 1,650-yard freestyle. Morin swam to a first place finish in the 50-yard freestyle, with Zepher Begnell placing third.
On the women's side, Fisher won the 50-yard freestyle (23.40). The women's team placed third in the 400-yard medley relay.
"Both our men's and women's relay teams are solid," Ward said. "In the medley relay we have moved some things around and moved Fisher to backstroke, which has been a huge help. We were teaching her how to do a backstroke at the beginning of the season because she had never really done it. Like any gifted athlete, she's been able to do something different and has performed very well."
The first 12 events of the meet against Towson and Northeastern will be held on Friday beginning at 4 p.m. The Saturday sessions begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Jim McKay Natatorium.
