Men's Swimming Sweeps La Salle and Villanova in Home Opener

Saturday, October 21

Daskalakis Athletic Center

12 p.m.

Drexel University

198.50

99.50

Villanova (Swimming)

Men's Swimming Sweeps La Salle and Villanova in Home Opener

10/21/2017 4:28:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS | TEAM SCORES

PHILADELPHIA - The Drexel men's swimming team swept La Salle and Villanova on Saturday as it opened its home competition at Drexel Pool for the 2017-18 season. The Dragons came from behind with crucial wins in the last two events to overcome the Explorers and Wildcats.

Drexel trailed by 10 at the second break with just two events to go. A huge swim from Jason Arthur to take first place in the 200-meter IM combined with a strong performance from the A squad in the 400-yard freestyle relay helped the Dragons come from behind. The relay was highlighted by freshman Kiran Richardson who anchored in 44.93 to help the Dragons secure a first-place finish and the overall team win.

The men's squad tallied seven first-place finishes, four second-place finishes, and 10 third-place finishes on the outing. Rookie Richardson finished in first place in three races including his 400 free relay win. He also added a third-place finish with the 200 medley relay team. Sophomore Arthur added a second-place finish in the 200-meter backstroke and third-place finishes in the 200-meter medley relay and the 100-meter backstroke. Freshman Zachary Valenzuela also fared well on the day, earning first in the 200-meter breaststroke, second in the 100-meter breastroke, and third in the 200-meter IM.

"For the second year in a row, the men's meet vs. La Salle came down to the last two races," said Drexel Head Coach Adam Braun. "With our backs against the wall the team responded with huge swims. Our entire coaching staff is super proud of how both teams performed today in the water and on the pool deck supporting each other. They have put in a ton of hard work over the last six weeks and it showed in our results today."

The Dragons will return to action next weekend as they head to Baltimore to take on Loyola (Md.), Johns Hopkins, and West Chester in the Loyola Invitational. Competition will begin on Friday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. and then continue with sessions on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

First Place
1000 free – 9:47.06 – Patrick Cobb
200 free –1:42.40 – Luke Hanner
50 free – 21.17 – Kiran Richardson
100 free – 45.92 – Kiran Richardson
200 breast – 2:05.83 – Zachary Valenzuela
200 IM – 1:52.02 – Jason Arthur
400 free relay – 3:05.85 – Stathis Malamas, Andrew Zhugayevich, Luke Hanner, Kiran Richardson

Second Place
100 breast – 58.32 – Zachary Valenzuela
200 back – 1:51.91 – Jason Arthur
200 breast – 2:10.12 – Joseph Brown
500 free – 4:43.63 – Dane Bell

Third Place
200 medley relay – 1:33.61 – Jason Arthur, Ralph Cannarozzi III, Stathis Malamas, Kiran Richardson
1000 free – 9:58.30 – Joseph Brown
100 back – 52.00 – Jason Arthur
100 breast – 58.62 – Ralph Cannarozzi III
200 fly – 1:56.63 – Alberto Lagrutta Saenz
100 free – 47.03 – Stathis Malamas
500 free – 4:44.41 – Patrick Cobb
100 fly – 52.10 – Spencer Hill
200 IM – 1:54.02 – Zachary Valenzuela
400 free relay – 3:12.78 – Dave Kneiss, Patrick Cobb, Dane Bell, JonPat Ransom