College Swimming & Diving
Men: Rider University 183, Marist College 114
Women: Marist College 150, Rider University 134

LAWRENCEVILLE- A sports rivalry is intense competition between athletic teams or athletes. This pressure of competition is felt by players and coaches, but is perhaps felt strongest by the fans. The intensity of the rivalry varies from a friendly competition on one end to serious violence on the other that, in one case was suggested to have led to military conflict.

Rivalries stem from various sources. Simple geographic proximity as well as frequent meetings in important contests, like the MAAC Championships, can lead to rivalries.

The Broncs and Red Foxes continued the fierce rivalry they began in 1991-92 on Saturday when the Rider men won handedly and the Rider women lost narrowly to Marist in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference dual meet

"All of the new people we have (18 freshmen) might not have known about the rivalry we have but they learned about it today," said Rider head coach Steve Fletcher.

"Marist is our biggest rival and the team we want to beat," said junior Johnny Funk (Las Vegas, Nev./Southeast Academy), who won the 100 back (51.69), the 200 back (1:54.09) and the 200 individual medley (1:56.74). "Before today the freshmen didn't really know but once the meet started they felt the atmosphere and now they have a pretty good idea of what's going on."

"Johnny had a good day,"' Fletcher said.  "He's a calming influence on the men's team because he's a relaxed competitor. The rest of the team likes to see that. It has a good leadership impact on the entire group."

"I was enjoying the team atmosphere today," Funk said. "It was nice to get a win, and to beat Marist makes it 10-times nicer."

"Marist is our biggest rival, for sure," said junior Addie Oswald (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley), who won the 200 free (1:54.76), the 100 free (53.71) and the 200 individual medley (2:11.75). "I think the new people got that today."

"The 1:54 (in the 200 free) is a season best for Addie," Fletcher said. The best she's ever done in a dual meet. She's tough."

"I was very pleased with the way I swam," Oswald said.  "I swam the best I ever have in-season, so personally, it was a very good meet for me."

Also for the Rider men, junior Brian Molloy (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) won the 1,000 free (9:58.59), the 50 free (21.85) and the 500 free (4:53.34).

Also for the Rider women, junior Kelly O'Connor (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) won the 200 'fly (2:06.60) and the 100 'fly (59.37).

"I'm proud of the way our women swam today," Fletcher said.  "They stayed in the meet."

"The women's team set a goal before the meet started and we shattered it,"' Oswald said. "I loved it."

Also for the Rider men (1-2), sophomore Trevor Hiller (Galloway Twp., NJ/Absegami) won the 1-meter dive (318.15) and placed second in the 3-meter (282.08). Senior Brendan Cavallaro (Middleboro, Mass/Middleboro) won the 3-meter dive (296.40) and placed second in the 1-meter (311.63). "They both dove very well today," Fletcher said. "They both are extremely competitive."

Freshman Brett Pedersen (Sewell, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) won the 200 free (1:46.24), junior Julien Hensen (Delafield, Wis./Kettle Moraine) won the 100 breast (59.73) and freshman Drew Peterson (Boulder City, Nev./Boulder City) won the 100 free (47.76).

The men's 400 free relay team of Molloy, Peterson, Pedersen and Hensen set a new Coppola Pool record with a winning time of 3:09.77.

The men's 200 medley relay team of Funk, graduate student Mike Tubb (Swedesboro, NJ/St. Augustine Prep), freshman Zach DeLillo (Reading, PA/Wilson) and Pedersen also won (1:36.26).

Also for the Rider women, freshman Carlee Oswald (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley) won the 200 back (2:09.67).

"It is probably the coolest thing in the entire world to be swimming with my sister," Addie Oswald said of her teammate and little sister Carlee. "I love it. We have a really good relationship."

The Rider men have defeated Marist the last three seasons and have now won eight of the 20 meetings. The Rider women defeated Marist two years ago before losing at Marist last season and are 9-11 against the Red Foxes.

The Broncs take to the pool again November 5 at Lehigh. Coach Fletcher swam for Lehigh's cross-town rival Lafayette, so the rivalry continues next week for 'Fletch'. "I had my best swims as an athlete in that pool," Fletcher said. "It is always great for me to go back to the Lehigh Valley."

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