Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Bucknell Men's Swimming and Diving Posts 178.5-119.5 Victory Over Lehigh on Senior Day
1/24/2009 7:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Jan. 24, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Mark Kawczenski (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Hanover Area) won the 50-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke and finished tied for second in the 100 free, while Jeffrey Manning swept both diving events, helping the Bucknell men's swimming and diving team to a 178.5-119.5 victory over Lehigh Saturday afternoon at Kinney Natatorium. It marked the final dual meet of the season for the Bison, who improved to 7-2 overall and 5-1 against Patriot League competition.
Kawczenski, who was also part of the winning 200 medley relay team, and Manning combined to take part in half of Bucknell's 10 first-place finishes on the day. Kawczenski kept his steak alive by winning the 100 back for the eighth consecutive time this season, while his victory in the 50 free marked the third time he has won that event this season. In the 100 free, he tied with Eric Sokolosky (Branford, Conn./Branford) with a time of 47.14 seconds, marking his eighth top-three finish in eight races this season.
Manning swept both diving events for the first time since he accomplished the feat against Duquesne in November. He posted a score of 252.45 off the one-meter board and a 235.65 off the three-meter. Teammate Greg Zavoluk (Stamford, Conn./Westhill) followed behind in second off both boards. His 223.65 score off the three-meter board was a new career-best for the senior and kept him in sixth place in Bucknell history in that event.
Other event winners for the Bison included Jonathan Podniesinski (Melville, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East) in the 1,000 free, Gonzalo DeLeon (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland Regional) in the 200 back, Luke Trafton (Bath, Maine/Morse) in the 500 free and Nathaniel Fletcher (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) in the 200 IM. Additionally, Michael Volpe (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) tied for first in the 100 fly.
Prior to the meet six seniors (Christopher Amato, Kawczenski, Manning, Steven Schmaltz, Patrick Stummer and Zavoluk) were honored as part of Senior Day festivities.
With the loss, Lehigh fell to 6-5 and 3-2 against Patriot League foes.
Bucknell will continue its home schedule next weekend when it hosts the Bison Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 31. Kinney Natatorium will also serve as the host site for next month's Patriot League Championships.
