University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Lead Atlantic 10 Championship After Day One
02/16/2005 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Feb. 16, 2005
Results
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The University of Richmond's swimming and diving team began its bid for a Atlantic 10 Conference record fourth-consecutive title by grabbing a first-place lead in the Conference Championships Wednesday night in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Spider divers opened the 2005 event with a phenomenal performance. Sophomore Maggie Maranda recorded a 199.10 in the 1 meter prelims then followed it with a final score of 195.20 to place fourth overall. Freshman Erin Barry scored a 194.70 in the prelims and later garnered a 156.50 in the finals for an eighth-place finish.
"Our divers were simply outstanding tonight," head coach Matt Kredich said. "Tonight was by far the best Maggie and Erin have been all year. It is exceptional for them to finish in the Top-10."
Richmond swept both relay events in the late session to help take its day-one lead. Sophomore Michelle Coombs, freshman Anastasia Lau, junior Brooke Boncher and sophomore Emily Bateman turned in a school and A-10 Conference record time of 1:43.90 in the 200 medley relay.
"The 200 medley relay was fantastic," Kredich said. "I felt Anastasia really came up big in tonight's relay, competing for the first time in a Conference Championship. Coombs, who has either been sick or hurt most of the season, had a great backstroke leg. Brooke was also phenomenal in her fly leg."
The Spiders capped off the night with a 7:32.73 in the 800 free relay. Senior Mary Adams, Bateman, junior Anne Kirchner and freshman Jessica Witt turned in the fastest time of the season for Richmond. Each of the athletes' splits were all faster than any of their personal bests this season in the 200 free distance.
"I thought Bateman, Kirchner and Witt stepped up in the 800 free relay," Kredich said. "Mary was also phenomenal with the fastest 200 free time of the season. To have three individuals on that relay who aren't used to being there, I thought they were outstanding. It is hard to imagine us doing any better than we did tonight."
Richmond leads second-place George Washington by four points following first day action. The Championship's second day of action is scheduled to begin with prelims at 10:30 a.m. while finals are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. in Flickinger Athletic Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Team Scores
1. Richmond -- 106
2. George Washington -- 102
3. St. Bonaventure -- 100
4. Massachusetts -- 83
5. Fordham -- 75
6. Rhode Island -- 58
7. Xavier -- 50
8. Duquesne -- 46
9. La Salle -- 43
