College Swimming and Diving

Men: Seton Hall University 153, Rider University 147

Women: Rider University 158, Seton Hall University 141

Women: Rutgers University 158, Rider University 137

Modrov sets Rider record in 500 free

Burke qualifies for NCAA Zone

PISCATAWAY ? The Rider University Swimming and Diving Team competed at Rutgers University Friday.  The women's team defeated Seton Hall 158-141 and lost to Rutgers 137-158 while the men fell to Seton Hall 147-153.  “We had a number of outstanding performances,” said head coach Steve Fletcher.  “Most of our athletes improved from last week to this week.  It was also good for the women to get a first win under their belt.  Overall, it was a great team effort by both the men and the women.”  

For the Rider (1-2) women, senior Priscilla Modrov (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) won the 200 fly (2:02.91) and 400 IM (4:25.55) and captured a Rider record in the 500 freestyle winning with a time of 4:58.78.   Junior diver Amanda Burke (Churchville, Pa./William Tennent) qualified for the NCAA Zone A Diving competition by winning the one meter with a personal best of 298.30 as well as the three meter (292.20).

“Amanda made a zone qualifying score in the one meter,” said head diving coach Dennis Ceppa.  “She's the first one on the Rider team to make the score this year.” 

For the Rider (0-2) men, freshman Len Paccione (Turnersville/Gloucester Catholic) won the 1000 free with a time of (9:53.14) while senior Josh Rosenbluth (Lawrenceville/Lawrence) won the 100 back (51.39) and placed second in the 200 back (1:50.83). Sophomore Drew Modrov (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) won the 50 free (20.97), 100 free (1:44.75) and finished second in the 200 free (1:44.75).  

“Drew came close to getting a Rider record,” Fletcher said.  “He was only seventeen one hundredths off.” 

Junior diver Paul Apostolakis (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fort Hamilton) won the one meter (286.5) and placed second in the three meter (258.05) while freshman Brandon Cavallaro (Middleboro, Mass./Middleboro) won the three meter (269.1) and placed second in the one meter (255.35). 

“Paul was only 15 points off of qualifying for NCAA Zone in the one meter,” Ceppa said.  “Overall, both the men and women did extremely well compared to last weekend.  They improved by leaps and bounds.  I'm very excited about that.” 

Also for the women, Freshman Kori Kraus (Mays Landing/St. Joseph's) won the 100 back with a time of 59.57 as well as the 200 back (2:07.69) and placed fourth in the 400IM (4:46.27).  Sophomore Alicia Fimple (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby) was second in the 100 fly (1:01.33) and seventh in the 200 free (1:58.82) while Junior Lovette Leonhard (Piscataway) was third in 1000 free (10:54.13) and sixth in the 500 free (5:22.64).  Sophomore Lindsay Simmons (Williston, Vt./Champlain Valley Union)  placed fourth in the 50 free (24.98) and eighth in the 100 back (1:08.72).

“Our women swam well,” said Fletcher.  “The Rutgers women team is a nationally ranked team and our faster swimmers had some good races with them.” 

Also for the men, junior Brian Brady (Turnersville/Gloucester Catholic) placed second in the 100 back with a time of (55.51).  Sophomore Mike Tubb (Swedesboro/St. Augustine Prep.) was second in the 100 breast (1:01.42) and sophomore Ryan Nelthropp (Christiansted, V.I./St. Croix Country Day) finished second in the 200 fly (1:57.65) and 400 IM (4:15.38).                                                    

Sophomore CJ Kohner (Bloomington, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy) was second in the 500 free with a time of 4:50.27 and third in the 200 fly (2:00.57) and 1000 free (9:57.36).   Sophomore Tom Smallwood placed third in both the one meter (192) and three meter (212.5) diving competitions. 

Junior Scott Player (Chino Hills, Calif./Ruben S. Ayala) was fourth in the 50 free (22.05) while sophomore Arthur Arciszewski (Phillipsburg) finished fourth in the 1000 yard free (10:01.41) and fifth in the 500 free (4:55.03).

The Broncs were also strong in the relays winning the women's 200 medley and men's 200 free.          

The team will next travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Saturday, November 1st where they will take on Marist College in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference meet at 1pm. 

“Marist is a tough team,” said Fletcher.  “They've won the MAAC for many years straight.  It's always a competitive meet for us.”   

“I think we can see another performance like this week against Marist,” adds Ceppa.  “Everyone did really well and dove the way I expected them to dive.  If I can see the same kind of performance next week, I think we'll do really well.” 

-RU-