UB men's and women's swimming weekly release
Bulls Sweep Panthers to Open Season
The University at Buffalo men's and women's swimming and diving teams scored the needed first- and third-place finishes in the final event to ensure victory as the Bulls swept visiting Pittsburgh in the dual meet season opener for both teams. The UB men scored a 127-116 win over the Panthers for their second straight win over Pittsburgh while the UB women won 123-120, the first time that the UB women had knocked off a Big East program.
Drama in the Final Relays
In the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay and UB's women trailing 116-110, the Bulls got a first-place finish from the foursome of Taylor Steffl, Mallory Morrell, Dani Adank and Brittney Kuras in 3:29.31 with the Panthers finishing second in 3:32.31. The B entry of Taylor Snyder, Rachael Ragen, Katelyn Grimm and Becky Evangelista was able to touch out Pittsburgh's other entry to give the Bulls the necessary 13 points to Pitt's four to claim the team win. Also needing a first and third finish to increase their 114-112 lead, the men's foursome of Jared Heine, Ryan Smrekar, Mike Dugan and Matt Hogan combined to win the men's 400-yard freestyle relay in 3:02.91 as UB's B entry of Tommy Steele, Paul Garman, Chris Berloth and Eric Culver finished third in 3:13.09.
Morrell Chases Down the Panthers to Take Medley Relay
The Bulls also swept the opening relay, the 400-yard medley relay. In the women's race, Morrell, racing the closing freestyle leg, was able to chase down Pitt's Joanna Budzis and touch the wall first in 3:53.34 to Pitt's 3:53.86. Joining Morrell on the foursome were Claudia Doyle, Brynn Marecki and Marissa Murphy. Individually, Morrell also won the women's 50-yard freestyle in 23.60.
Kuras, Dugan Sweep Freestyle Events
Besides being part of the winning freestyle relay squads, Brittney Kuras and Mike Dugan were double individual winners as both swimmers claimed the 100- and 200-yard freestyle races. Kuras, in her first year with the Bulls after swimming as a freshman at Rutgers, won the 100-yard race in 51.04 and the 200-yard race in 1:51.90. Dugan won the men's 100-yard event in 45.72 and the 200-yard event in 1:41.81.
Bulls Earned Crucial Wins on Three-Meter Board
Sophomore Ava Giachino and senior Colin Patrican played crucial parts in UB's win over Pittsburgh with needed victories in the three-meter diving competition. Giachino won the women's three-meter diving with a six-dive score of 235.88 while Patrican won the men's three-meter diving board with a six-dive total of 283.88 points. Pitt divers posted the top two spots in the one-meter event.
Men Travel, Women Home This Weekend
The UB men travel to Cornell on October 28 for their next action. The UB women open Mid-American Conference action when they host Toledo on October 29 at 1:00 pm at Alumni Arena Natatorium.