Season Opener a Bang For Tampa

Tampa, Fla. - The University of Tampa swimming team opened the 2006-07 season with an impressive 444-84 victory over Florida Southern in a Sunshine State Conference matchup. The dominating performance by the Spartans included a victory in every event but one.

Jessie Bardin won a total of three races to lead Tampa as the freshman from St. Petersburg was victorious in the women's 100, 200 and 500 free races. Bardin's performance also made national "B" cuts in the 200 and 500. Kyle Merritt, a returning All-American, won the men's 100 and 200 backstroke races to lead the Tampa men.