College Swimming and Diving
Three Broncs honored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Cavallaro MAAC Men's Diver of the Week
Molloy MAAC Men's Swimmer of the Week
Burns MAAC Women's Swimmer of the Week

LAWRENCEVILLE--Three members of the Rider University swimming and diving teams were recognized by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for all competition October 18-24.

"I'm happy for the athletes and our program," said head coach Steve Fletcher.  "All three are major contributors to our team's effort and they certainly deserve the recognition."

Junior diver Brendan Cavallaro was named the MAAC Men's Diver of the Week, sophomore Brian Molloy was named MAAC Men's Swimmer of the Week and senior Brianna Burns was named MAAC Women's Swimmer of the Week.

"This is my first time winning the award so it is a surprise," Cavallaro said.  "I was able to hit all of my dives except the inward, pretty much got 7s and 8s on all my dives.  I felt really comfortable up there.  It was a good, solid start to the season."

Cavallaro, from Middleboro, Mass. (Middleboro), won both the three-meter (348.08) and one-meter (304.43) boards in Rider's dual meet against Seton Hall.  Cavallaro, who qualified for the NCAA Zone 'A' meet last season at the conference championships, got that goal out of the way in only the second meet of the season by qualifying again on both boards.  Cavallaro also broke the three-meter Coppola Pool record held by 2010 Rider grad and MAAC champion Paul Apostolakis.

"The first meet, I was getting the kinks out," Cavallaro said about the opener at UMBC.  "Against Seton Hall, I started working on my optional dives and the meet was nice.  It is a little bit of a change for me, this season the freshmen are now looking up to me and fellow diver, senior Tom Smallwood and last year I was looking up to Tom and Paul.  We push each other to succeed and do the best we can."

"Paul was our first NCAA male diving qualifier," Fletcher said.  "If Brendan's performance against Seton Hall is any indication, this is going to be an exciting season for him.  We are proud of what he is doing."

"Brendan really turned it on against Seton Hall," said Kristen Ceppa, in her first season as diving coach after several seasons as a volunteer assistant under husband Dennis who is now coaching at George Mason.  "Being a home meet and with his team able to watch, Brendan really fed off that atmosphere and that excitement.  To also qualify for NCAA Zones really takes pressure off his back."

Molloy, from Toms River, N.J. (Toms River HS East), won two events against the Pirates, swimming the 100 free in 48.27 and the 200 free in 1:45.91.

"I'm excited," Molloy said upon hearing about the recognition.  "It was a good meet against Seton Hall.  I swam well and the team swam well also."

"Brian is coming off an injury from last season," Fletcher said.  "With him being healthy, his ability to train is improving a lot and I think that is going to start showing up in his races."

Burns, from Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. (Spring Valley), won three events against Seton Hall, the 50 free (24.69), 100 free (53.10) and 200 free (1:54.69).

"Brianna is a very mature competitor," said Fletcher about his team captain.  "She worked hard over the summer and came in very prepared for the season.  Even though she is a little tired, she is still swimming fast and that is a good thing."

"I'm really excited to win this award," Burns said.  "All my hard work and effort for training this summer is paying off and hopefully I will continue to do well this season."

Rider travels to Marist College for a MAAC meet against the Red Foxes October 30.

"We're going to continue training hard," Molloy added.  "So far the season is going well."

"We are looking really good this year," Burns added.  "We are training really hard and I'm excited to see how we do the rest of the season."

"Marist is always a difficult road trip," said Fletcher.  "We have a lot of work to do this week to prepare."

-RU-