WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Junior Meredith Budner and sophomore Cari Czarnecki each won three individual events to lead the Tigers to their first dual meet victory of the season, a 173.50-124.50 Colonial Athletic Association victory over the College of William & Mary on Saturday afternoon.
The win allowed the Tigers to extend a pair of streaks. The Tigers won their sixth straight dual meet dating back to last season while extending their win streak against CAA opponents to 19 straight victories.
"It was a very good start for us, but we have some work to do if we want to defend our CAA title," Towson Coach Pat Mead said. "Our goal is to be undefeated in the CAA, so we will have to work hard to continue that streak.
"At the halfway point today, we were ahead by just one point and William & Mary and put us against the wall," Mead added. "We talked about it and said that it was a defining moment for the team and the program. The team had a choice to make and they were unbelievable in the second half of the meet."
Budner and Czarnecki accounted for six of the Tigers' nine victories in the win over William & Mary. The reigning CAA Swimmer of the Year, Budner won the 1000-yard freestyle (10:01.03), the 500-yard freestyle (4:55.53) and the 200-yard individual medley (2:06.56).
Meanwhile, Czarnecki earned a victory in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:03.38, barely missing an NCAA 'B' cut. She also earned a win in the 200-yard breaststroke by completing the race in 2:19.38 and also finished first in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.21 seconds.
"Considering how early it is in the season, to see Cari just miss an NCAA 'B' cut in the 100-yard breaststroke is impressive," Coach Mead said. "She was just remarkable today."
Senior Jordan Crosby also posted a victory for the Tigers, finishing first in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:06.22.
Sophomore Caroline Baker swept both diving events for the Tigers. She scored 180.90 points in the one-meter required event before scoring 200.70 points in the one-meter optional event. Sophomore Kate Scarbrough also had an impressive performance in the one-meter diving optional event, finishing second with a score of 191.70 points.
"Our divers did an exceptional job today," said Coach Mead. "Caroline had an outstanding effort today and Kate has made major improvements and really impressed me."
Senior Katie Radloff led the Tribe in the loss. She finished first in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 50.59 seconds while finishing the 200-yard freestyle in 1:52.80.
The Tigers will be idle until October 24 when they face East Carolina, Marshall and Campbell.
