Tampa Opens Season with Victory over Florida Southern
LAKELAND, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's and women's swimming team each triumphed in their respective season openers, defeating Florida Southern. The Spartan women won 179-93 as the men were victorious 195-113.
Both Spartan teams began the meet with first and second place performances in the 200 Medley Relay as the women's team of Ellie Eshleman, Marissa Mumford, Kim Tench and Stephanie Branham took first with a time of 1:52.75. The men's team of Kyle Merritt, Michael Lewis, Mike Lewis and Greg Cerrato won with a time of 1:39.39.
UT's men picked up individual first-place finishes by Tyler Furrer (1,000 Free, 9:44.26), Cerrato (50 Free, 22.39), Paul LaPorta (200 IM, 2:04.57), Mike Lewis (100 Fly, 52.70), Blaine Bess (100 Free, 48.55) and Merritt (100 Back, 53.85).
The Spartan women accounted for six winning races, including Allison Vetter (100 Back, 1:04.03), Jessie Bardin (200 Free, 1:55.43), Branham (50 Free, 25.43), Hannah Hudson (100 Free, 56.34), Jennifer Jenkins (200 IM, 2:18.10) and Tench (100 Fly, 1:02.05).
Tampa is back in action on Friday, October 26 as it hosts Savannah College at 3:30 p.m.