Buffalo, N.Y. - (Feb. 20, 2008) - The 2008 Atlantic 10 Swimming & Diving Championship opened competition tonight in Buffalo, New York, with Fordham currently third in the men's competition and fourth in the women's. Leading the way for Fordham was senior
Donato Callara, who earned Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honors in the one-meter dive.
A total of five events were held on day one at the Flickinger Center in Buffalo, leaving the Massachusetts men and Richmond women leading the competitions.
The Minutemen sit on top of the men's standings with 135 points, followed by St. Bonaventure (104) and Fordham (85). Rounding up the scoring are Xavier (68), Duquesne (66), Rhode Island (63), La Salle (62), Saint Louis (40) and George Washington (40).
In the three men's events, two were relays, as Fordham placed fifth in the 200 medley relay in 1:33.75, and sixth in 800 freestyle relay, where
Justin Coombs,
Eric Prendergast,
Brian Jucas, and
Ryan Coombs, set a new Fordham record in 6:52.42. The previous 800 freestyle relay record was 6:52.63, set in 2000.
In the one individual event, Fordham had four divers score in the one meter event, led by Callara, who placed second with a score of 562.55, which also set a new school record for 11 dives in the one-meter. Paul Delo held the previous mark with a score of 554.15 in 1997.
Austin Iveson placed 11th overall (200.55) in the one-meter dive, while Ben Otto was 12th (200.00) and Anthony Giavannone was 14th (183.75).
In the women's competition, Richmond leads with 80 points, followed by Xavier (66), Duquesne (66), St. Bonaventure (58), Fordham (58), Massachusetts (50), La Salle (50), George Washington (40), Rhode Island (40) and Saint Louis (28).
Two events were held for the women on day one, both being relays. Fordham placed fourth in the 200 medley relay, as Christina Cosentino, Nicole Marshall, Caitlin Napoli, and Amanda Ciccone, set a new school record in 1:45.95. The previous record was 1:47.06, set in 2003. Fordham then finished fifth in the 800 freestyle relay in 7:39.53.
Competition at the Atlantic 10 Championship continues on Thursday, beginning at 9:00 AM.
