TOWSON, Md. – Jack Saunderson and
Matt Essing started the 2018-19 Towson University men's swimming and diving season in style by winning a pair of events and being part of two victorious relay teams.
Nick McClure complemented their strong effort by prevailing in two events as Towson defeated Georgetown, 172-126, in its season-opener at Burdick Hall Saturday night.
In avenging last year's loss to Georgetown, the Tigers also had
Ryan O'Leary,
Will Canny and
Spencer Franklin win their respective events.
Ryan Baldino,
Evan Brophy,
Owen Robinson and O'Leary were members of winning relay teams.
How It Happened
- Saunderson won the 200-yard freestyle (1 minute, 42.20 seconds) and cruised to victory in his signature event, the 200-yard individual medley (1:50.83) by six seconds.
- He wasn't finished as he teamed with Robinson, O'Leary and Essing to lead the Tigers to victory in the 200-yard medley relay (1:30.97).
- Saunderson finished the day by combining with Baldino, Essing and Brophy to claim the 400-yard free relay (3:08.00).
- Essing prevailed in the 50-yard freestyle (21.00) and 100-yard freestyle (46.28).
- McClure won the 200-yard butterfly (1:52.93) and tied with Franklin to capture the 100-yard butterfly (51.53).
- O'Leary cruised to victory in the 100-yard breaststroke in 57.84 seconds.
- O'Leary added a second place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:08.83.
- Canny, who was the CAA Rookie Of the Year last season, started strong by finishing with a score of 252.30 to win the 1-meter diving competition.
- He was second in the 3-meter diving event (235.90).
- Zach Bishop, Ben Johnston, Franklin and Baldino was second in the 200-yard medley relay (1:35.45).
- Baldino was second in the 50-yard freestyle (21.15) and 100-yard freestyle (47.34).
- Franklin was second in the 200-yard butterfly (1:54.80).
- Bishop was busy as he placed second in the 200-yard backstroke (1:52.68) and third in the 100-yard backstroke (52.33).
- Brophy and Robinson each added a second and third place finish in their individual events.
- Brophy was second in the 1,000-yard freestyle (9:49.02) and third in the 500-yard freestyle (4:46.02).
- Robinson finished second in the 100-yard backstroke (51.38) and third in the 100-yard butterfly (52.25).
- Andrew Snyder (1,000-yard freestyle, 9:54.99), Hunter Wright (200-yard freestyle, 1:42.22), Keller (200-yard butterfly, 1:56.40) and Johnston (200-yard individual medley, 1:57.20) were third in their respective events.
Up Next for Towson
The Tigers will compete in the Navy Invitation in Annapolis, Md. on Friday, Oct. 19. The meet also featuring Johns Hopkins and William & Mary is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
