December 3, 2007
(Akron, Oh.): The Clarion women's swimming and diving team turned in an outstanding overall performance this weekend finishing fifth at the Zippy Invitational Swimming and Diving Meet. The meet was held at the Ocasek Natatorium and held from Friday, November 30th through Sunday Dec. 2nd.
WOMEN'S RESULTS: Clarion finished 5th in the women's standings out of 11 teams. Ohio University was first with 1588.5, Buffalo second at 1,289, Illinois State third with 1,167, Xavier fourth at 1,073 and Clarion fifth with 926.6. Akron was sixth with 919, Duquesne seventh with 851, Shippensburg eighth with 456, Bloomsburg ninth at 344, Niagara tenth at 210 and Alama last with 33.
Lori Leitzinger (Sr. State College) was the top swimmer. She won the 100 backstroke, qualified for NCAA D-II nationals and set a new Clarion record in the process with a time of 2:03.71. She topped Regan Rickert's record of 2:05.20 which stood for many years. Leitzinger was also 3rd in the 100 back (58.64) and part of the 4th place 400 medley relay (3:57.35) and the 5th place 200 medley relay (1:49.24).
Also qualifying for nationals were Kaitlyn Johnson (Fr. Uniontown), Jamie Maloney (So. York/Dallastown), Gina Mattucci (Fr. Jeannette/Penn Trafford) and Kelly Connolly (Fr. Cranberry Twp./ Seneca Valley) who swam a 1:36.07 in the 200 medley relay and finished second.
Johnson also was part of the 4th place 400 medley and 4th place 400 free relays (3:33.13), plus finished 6th in the 100 free (53.30), 7th in the 50 free (24.32) and 7th in the 100 fly (58.45).
Mattucci was also 10th in the 50 free (24.33)on the 400 free relay and the 5th place 200 medley relay. Connolly was third in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.52) and the 400 free relay that finished 4th.
Denise Simens (Jr. Hollister, Ca.) swam strong in her specialty, the 100 and 200 breaststroke. She was 4th in the 100 (1:06.74) and 5th in the 200 (2:26.82), plus was part of the 200 (5th) and 400 (4th) medley relays.
The women's diving contingent was also strong. Teagan Riggs (Sr. Meadville) was third (259.40) on 3 meter and 7th (196.60) on 1 meter, while Ginny Saras (Sr. Sugarloaf/Hazleton) was 3rd (228.6) on 1 meter. Kayla Kelosky (Fr. Ellwood City/Riverside) was 4th (211.55) on 1 meter and 5th (228.80) on 3 meter.
The Golden Eagles under coach Mark VanDyke (8th Season) are now off until January. The next dual meet is at Edinboro on January 19th with Gannon. The women's team is 3-1 and the men are 2-2.
