Jan. 25, 2008

The George Mason swimming and diving team will compete in its second-to-last tuneup before the 2008 CAA Championship on Saturday when it hosts CAA foe Old Dominion along with Army and American for a 12 p.m. meet at the Jim McKay Natatorium. Admission is $5 for adults, and $2 for youth and senior citizens.

Mason returns to the water after splitting at Towson two weeks ago. Powered by two triple-event winners, the men's swimming and diving team notched a 187-108 victory, while the women fell to the Tigers, 201-93, in Colonial Athletic Association action at Burdick Pool. The win was the first for the Patriot men, who are now 1-1 in CAA competition, while the women fell to 0-2 in the conference.

Junior Eric Knight and sophomore Ryan David each won three individual events to pace the Patriots to the victory. Knight captured first place in the 100-yard freestyle (48.32) and breaststroke (1:00.64) events, as well as the 200-yard breaststroke (2:12.77). David took home wins in the 100-yard backstroke (53.51), 200-yard backstroke (2:01.29), and 200-yard individual medley (2:02.65). Senior Matt Kane took two wins in the 500-yard and 1000-yard freestyle races with times of 4:52.03 and 9:59.09, respectively.

Other event winners for the men were freshman Spencer Roe, sophomore Steven Benecki, and sophomore Ryan Metzker. Roe took first in the 50-yard freestyle (22.36), Benecki won the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.64), and Metzker swept the 1-meter and 3-meter dives with scores of 302.92 and 305.25, respectively. The 200-yard medley relay team of David, Knight, sophomore Tad Ogren and Roe finished first with a time of 1:37.78.

On the women's side, seniors Sarah Bizer and Amanda Fielding both won two events. Bizer swam to first in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle competitions, with times of 23.95 and 52.54, respectively. Fielding swept the women's diving portion of the meet, taking first in the 1-meter (274.50) and 3-meter (258.30) events.

Following Saturday's meet, the Patriots will face their final pre-championship test a week later when they host George Washington at 1 p.m.