The University at Buffalo's women's swimming and diving team began their 2003-2004 season with a victory, as they out-swam Siena College in a 179-74 victory on Saturday morning in Alumni Arena.
Buffalo added nine new freshman to their 16 returning women, making their team more powerful than the Bulls' swimming and diving team has been in many years.
"We have a lot of great new depth, and we have a lot of great talent at the top as well," said head UB swimming and diving coach, Dorsi Raynolds. "With the return of two of our top divers, Kim LaHaye and Tracy Hoover, from being injured last year, this is probably one of the strongest teams we have ever had."
UB junior, Jennifer Brankovsky who was last year's Mid-American Conference swimmer of the year, contributed to the upset against Siena by winning her events in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.92) and in the 500-yard freestyle (5:03.97). Brankovsky, along with teammates, senior Abby Delia, sophomore Jennifer Raimondi and junior Bethany Miller placed first in the 200-medley relay race, posting a time of 1:52.46.
Junior Janet Reynolds, and Raimondi came in first and second in the 200-butterfly with finishing times of 2:11.47 and 2:13.66. Raimondi also took first in the 100-yard butterfly in 1:00.26.
Co-captain and senior, Jolie Pun, also assisted to the victory by winning the 1,000-yard freestyle in 10:44.50, while Reynolds and sophomore Rachael Rubin finished behind her for the two and three spots with times of 11:00.71 and 11:07.52. Freshman Jennifer Skerker had a lifetime best in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 11:18.41, and freshman Catherine Rowen also accomplished a lifetime best in the 200 individual medley in 2:16.96.
As for the UB divers, sophomore Ashlee Burton placed first in one-meter diving with 244.28 points, Hoover in second with 207.60 points and LaHaye in third with 189.15 points.
Siena posted some scores, as sophomore Christi Hunter took first in 2:23.83 in the 200-yard individual medley relay, while senior Kathleen Noonan took second in 2:31.13 and junior Jeanie Giunta took third in 2:35.74 seconds.
"We are very excited about the versatility of this team, through the seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshman. This was a great first meet to sort of get the ball going," said Reynolds. "We are right where we need to be at this point of the year, and are very excited to go up against Miami this weekend."
The UB swimming and diving team, now 1-0 overall, will continue their season at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31 when they host Miami, Ohio for their first MAC meet of the season.
