Fairfax, Va. – The George Mason swimming and diving team finished the second day of competition at the Atlantic 10 Swimming and Diving Championships, with the women's team in sixth place and the men's team in fifth.
On the women's side, it was a record-setting day for junior Sydney Fisher, who defended her title in the 50-yard freestyle (22.73) by finishing ahead of the pack for the second straight year. In the process she broke her own A-10 record and lowered her team and meet record.
The Mason women found the podium by finishing third in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:32.97). Marla Albanese, Rachel Williams, Steff Maurer, and Fisher finished just a half second off the team record in the event.
After a win in the 200-yard backstroke on day one, Maurer finished third in the consolation finals in the 50-yard freestyle (23.53) in the second day of competition.
The Richmond women are looking to claim their 14th A-10 Championship in the last 15 years and currently hold first place with 231 points, followed by Davidson (177 points) and Duquesne (174 points).
On the men's side, Mason junior Zepher Begnell finished second in the 50-yard freestyle (20.30), while Alec Morin took sixth in the event (20.65).
In the 200-yard freestyle relay, the combination of Jesse Burnley, Vadim Jacobson, Begnell and Morin posted a fourth place finish (1:21.30). Begnell had the fastest split (19.77).
Freshman Niles Biolley swam to a sixth place finish in the 200-yard individual medley (1:50.86). Evan Owens was 14th (1:52.65) and Brandon Nestor finished 16th (1:53.38).
The University of Massachusetts has a commanding lead on the men's side with 268 points, followed by St. Bonaventure (187 points) and La Salle (177.5 points).
The Atlantic 10 Swimming and Diving Championships continue from Geneva, Ohio on Friday, Feb. 19 with preliminaries taking place at 10:00am and the finals scheduled to be held at 6:30pm.
