University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Lead After Day One At The Atlantic 10 Championships
02/15/2006 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Feb. 15, 2006
Complete Results
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Richmond Swimming and Diving squad got off to a good start Wednesday, Feb. 15, in day one of the 2006 Atlantic 10 Championships in Buffalo, N.Y. The Spiders finished the day with a total of 74 points after opening the four-day competition with two relay swims at the Flickinger Athletic Center on the campus of Erie Community College.
Freshman Lauren Beaudreau, sophomore Anastasia Lau and freshmen CJ Pisano and Brie McDowell garnered 34 points for Richmond with a second-place finish in the 200 medley relay. Each swimmer contributed season-best splits helping record a time of 1:46.47. Beaudreau began the event with a 50 back lead-off time of 27.67. Lau went 29.38 in the breast portion, while Pisano logged a 25.79 in third leg (fly). McDowell finished off the event with a 23.63 in the free.
"We took a risk with our first relay of the night," head coach Matt Barany said. "All four of the women swam well and I think the second-place mark is something we can handle."
A veteran-laden 800 free relay team garnered the Spiders' first win of the championships by going 7:32.84, and topping the UMass Minutewomen by nearly five seconds. Sophomore Jessica Witt opened the relay with the fifth-best 200 free time in school history of 1:52.17. Junior Caitlin Geary eclipsed her best 200 free mark by three seconds in the second leg, logging a 1:52.38. Senior Anne Kirchner turned in a 1:54.48 in the third leg and junior Emily Bateman finished off the win with a split of 1:53.81.
"We challenged the women earlier in the week," Barany said. "The 800 free relay team stepped up and showed the team something. I think the highlight of the night was (Caitlin) Geary's 200 free split -- she was awesome."
The win in the 800 free gave Richmond 40 more points and helped it take over the lead from St. Bonaventure, currently in the second with 72 points. Duquesne is third after two events with 60, while UMass and Xavier's 56 points place in a tie for fourth. George Washington (52), Saint Louis (52), Fordham (50), Rhode Island (32) and La Salle (32) round out the final five squads after day one.
"We are excited about tomorrow and the possibility of a great morning session," Barany said. "All the other teams here are looking to see what Richmond has, and I am sure these women are determined to finish these championships in the same fashion they have the past four years."
Day two of the 2006 Atlantic 10 Championships get underway, Thursday, Feb. 16 at 10:30 a.m. with prelims in the 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free and women's one-meter dive. Thursday evening's finals will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include the 200 free relay finals
