LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Less than 24 hours after returning from their winter training trip in Arizona, the Rider University swimming and diving team hosted in-state rival Seton Hall University on Friday evening in the Coppola Pool. The men remained unbeaten in dual meets this season with an exciting 154-142 victory, while the women came up just short, falling 184-110 to the Pirates.
For the Rider men, it was the 15th dual-meet victory in a row, a streak dating back to the 2014-15 season.
The top performers for the women's team were junior
Julianna Runk (Baltimore, MD/Perry Hall) and divers
Meg Tomayko (Murfreesboro, TN/Siegel) and
Breanne Hatter (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown HS South). Runk won the 100 breast (1:08.40), finished second in the 200 IM (2:16.17 ) and teamed with three other Broncs to earn second in the 200 medley relay (1:52.00). Tomayko and Hatter continued their impressive season on the diving board with Tomayko winning the 1M (233.47) and finishing second in the 3M (194.97), while Hatter was second in the 1M (197.92) and won the 3M (199.12).
The men were once again led by junior
Zack Molloy (Toms River/Toms River HS North) and freshman
Justin Carey (Landenberg, PA/Avon Grove). Molloy won the 200 fly (1:40.60), 50 free (21.14), 100 free (46.00) and teamed with sophomore
Vincent Gibbons (North Brunswick), and seniors
Matthan-Matthew Martir (Severn, MD/Old Mill) and
Sam Cramer (Escondido, CA/San Pasqual) to finish first in the 400 free relay.
Carey continued his solid freshman campaign by winning the 100 back (49.96), 200 back (1:51.51), 100 butterfly (49.84) and he teamed with Martir, senior
Zach Mabin (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) and junior
Maciej Paz (Garfield, NJ/Paramus Catholic) to take the 200 medley (1:34.37) to start the day. The Bronc quarter of sophomore
Lucas Musselman (Timonium, MD/Loyola Blakefield), classmate
Brandon Ewer (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point), freshman
Rich Fortels (Monroe, NJ/Monroe Township) and senior
Ian Flynn (Dresher, PA (Upper Dublin) finished second in the 200 medley relay (1:36.39).
Musselman also contributed a second-place finish behind Carey in the 100 back (52.23). In the 100 back, Carey set one of two new pool records on the day. He became the first Rider swimmer to break 50 seconds in the event in Coppola Pool. Sophomore diver
Joseph Warker (Reading, PA/Wilson) also had a good day for Rider, winning at both 3M (266.17) and 1M (279.82).
The swimming and diving teams return to action on Monday, January 16, with a road dual meet against Georgetown University that is slated to begin at 1:00 pm.
