Home Opener a Success for UT Swimmers
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa registered a pair of victories of Savannah College of Art & Design as its men's and women's swimming teams each won their 2007-08 home opener. The Spartan men took a decisive 142.5 to 107.5 win as the women outlasted SCAD 135.5 to 124.5.
The Spartan men started strong, registering a 200 Medley Relay victory that set the pace for the remainder of the meet. The team of Kyle Merritt, Matt Kramer, Mike Lewis and Greg Cerrato took top honors with a time of 1:37.88.
UT took a total of eight first-place performances in men's action, including two by Merritt. The senior All-American won the 100 Back (53.33) and 200 Back (1:57.95). Cerrato also triumphed in the 100 Free (48.93) as Lewis was the first to finish the 100 Fly (52.99).
Other Spartan men with top performances were Tyler Furrer in the 200 Free (1:46.03), Robert Felton in the 200 Fly (1:56.82) and freshman Hunter Lineback in the 500 Free (4:52.42).
The Spartan women clinched the victory in the final race as it took the 400 Free Relay. The team of Jessie Bardin, Hannah Hudson, Stephanie Branham and Kim Tench finished in 3:40.29 to seal the UT win.
Bardin led the Spartan women as she also registered three individual first-place finishes. Among the victories for the defending 200 Free national champion were the 200 Free (1:57.21), 100 Free (54.45) and the 500 Free (5:15.08).
Marissa Mumford added a pair of first-place times, winning the 100 Back (1:11.35) and the 200 Breast (2:32.19). Jennifer Jenkins also won the 200 Back with a time of 2:14.56.
The Spartans are back in action on Saturday as they travel to Fort Myers to swim against Florida Gulf Coast, Florida Atlantic and Georgia Tech.