Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Army
Bucknell Men's Swimming & Diving Outlasts Army, 155-145
1/19/2008 7:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Jan. 19, 2008
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Clinging to a one-point lead heading into the final event, Bucknell came out on top in the 400 free relay to help the men's swimming and diving team to a thrilling 155-145 victory over Army on Saturday afternoon. The win, which was the first for the Bison in a dual meet against the Black Knights since 1975, moves Bucknell's record to 5-2 on the year, 3-1 in the Patriot League.
The Bison started off the day on a strong note with a victory in the 200 medley relay. The team of junior Mark Kawczenski (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Hanover Area), senior Bradford Bennett (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton Area), senior Grant Steadman (Richmond, Va./Collegiate) and sophomore Daniel Fletcher (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) combined for a time of one minute, 35.91 seconds, giving Bucknell an 11-6 lead in the team score.
Sophomore Luke Trafton (Bath, Maine/Morse) followed up by taking first in the 1,000 free in 9:43.19, while classmate David Iselin (Potomac, Md./Churchill) finished fourth (9:56.07).
Army kept pace with the Bison by claiming the top two spots in the 200 free. Fletcher was the top finisher for the Orange and Blue, taking third and clocking in at 1:44.71.
Bucknell's lead stretched to 10 points after Kawczenski was first to the wall in the 100 back with a time of 52.43. Freshman Gonzalo DeLeon (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland Regional) placed third (54.32) in the event and junior Chris Amato (East Norwich, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) came in fourth (54.50).
The Black Knights went one-two in the 100 breast, while senior Joseph Metcalf (Knoxville, Tenn./Phillips Exeter Academy (N.H.)) finished third for the Bison with a time of 59.98.
Trafton helped the Orange and Blue remain on top as he was first to the wall in the 200 fly, recording a time of 1:57.26. Senior John Peterman (Conestoga, Pa./Penn Manor) then won the 50 free in 21.81, while Steadman recorded a third-place showing (22.31).
After Jeffrey Manning (Bringhurst, Ind./Carroll Jr./Sr. High) posted a runner-up performance in one meter diving with a score of 250.73, Bucknell's lead was cut to two. However, three wins for the Bison in the next three events helped the squad extend its advantage to the largest margin of the meet, 27 points.
Peterman was victorious for the second time on the day, finishing the 100 free in 47.34. Steadman and Kawczenski added additional points for the Orange and Blue in third (48.32) and fourth (48.71), respectively.
Fletcher then headed up a one-two-three sweep for Bucknell in the 200 back, leading the way with a time of 1:54.87, while DeLeon followed in second (1:55.42) and Iselin in third (1:55.83).
Metcalf won the 200 breast in 2:08.93 and sophomore Brett Carey (West Chester, Pa./Malvern Prep) finished fourth with a time of 2:13.10.
Army managed to trim away its deficit by outscoring the Bison in each of the next four events. In the 500 free, Trafton took second (4:45.82) and Leboza third (4:47.58) for the Orange and Blue.
Amato was the top Bucknell finisher in the 200 fly, posting the runner-up time of 53.41. Coming in behind him were freshman Michael Volpe (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) (53.61, third) and Bennett (53.65, fourth).
Manning recorded the second highest three-meter diving score, 260.17, and after Fletcher placed third to lead the Bison in the 200 IM with a time of 2:00.49, Bucknell's lead was cut to one.
The Orange and Blue then clinched the meet victory with a win in the 400 free relay. Peterman, Steadman, Kawczenski and Trafton teamed up to post the top time of 3:09.41. Leboza, Iselin, Metcalf and Volpe finished third in 3:14.04.
The Bison will be back in action next Saturday, Jan. 26, when the squad will compete in its final dual meet of the 2007-08 season, at Lehigh, beginning at 1 p.m.
