FAIRFAX, Va. – The Towson University men's and women's swimming & diving teams are primed for the Patriot Invitational, hosted by George Mason, Thursday, Nov. 16 through Saturday, Nov. 18. Preliminary heats begin at 10:00 a.m. each morning with finals sessions slated for 6:00 p.m. each evening. The Tigers and Patriots will compete against combined squads from American, FAU, Marist, St. Bonaventure, Marymount and Richmond's women's team.
 
Live results will be available on the Meet Mobile app.
 
TALKING TIGERS
The Towson women hold five CAA-best times through the first part of the season. The Tigers hold the top time in the 200 (Scott, 1:50.72), 500 (Scott, 4:57.52) and 1650 free (Thomas, 16:55.11), the 100 back (Frame, 55.16) and the 400 IM (Denny, 4:28.50).
 
The Towson women's team finished in fifth place at the conference championship meet in 2022-23. Sophomore Ally Frame is the reigning champion in the 100 back and took bronze in the 200 back. Diver Shannon Parrau narrowly missed the podium in the 1-meter dive with a score of 266.45 at her first conference championship meet. Four newcomers join 24 returners on the 2023-24 roster.
 
The Towson men currently hold 10 league-best marks for individual events in the conference. The Tigers hold the CAA-best time in the 50 (Fazio, 20.66), 200 (Benzing, 1:38.72), 500 (Ament, 4:34.04) and 1650 free (Ament, 16:07.61), the 200 back (Colson, 1:46.71), the 100 (Benzing, 52.71) and 200 breast (Benzing, 1:57.97), the 100 (Benzing, 48.55) and 200 fly (Dietrich, 1:50.73) and the 200 IM (Benzing, 1:47.19). Towson also holds the league's best mark in the 200 and 400 free relays, and the 200 and 400 medley relays.
 
Seven newcomers join the team to accompany 16 returners from last season following a third-place finish at the CAA Championships last February. The two swimmers accounting for Towson's four gold medal finishes at the 2022-23 conference championship meet have returned for the Black & Gold. Brian Benzing took gold in the 100 fly, 100 breast and 200 IM while breaking the all-time conference record in the 100 breast and 200 IM. He is a three-time defending CAA Swimmer of the Year, two-time CAA Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet and two-time Honorable Mention All-America. Michael Fazio is the two-time defending 50 free champion in the CAA and won the 100 free in 2021.
 
CAA HONOR ROLL
Brian Benzing | CAA Men's Co-Swimmer of the Week – 10/10/23
Shannon Parrau | CAA Women's Diver of the Week – 10/17/23
Aidan Clark | CAA Men's Diver of the Week – 10/17/23
Brian Benzing | CAA Men's Swimmer of the Week – 10/24/23
Addie Scott | CAA Women's Swimmer of the Week – 10/31/23
Shannon Parrau | CAA Women's Diver of the Week – 10/31/23
Brian Benzing | CAA Men's Co-Swimmer of the Week – 10/31/23
Aidan Clark | CAA Men's Diver of the Week – 10/31/23
Addie Scott | CAA Women's Rookie Swimmer of the Month – October
 
LAST TIME AROUND
Last year, TU's women's squad took first place at the Patriot Invitational with 893 points. Florida Atlantic (874) and George Mason (829.50) finished second and third. Richmond, American, Marist and UNCW rounded out the rankings.
 
On the men's side, the Tigers finished second with 991.50 points. Florida Atlantic took first with 1,128 points. George Mason, Marist, American and UNCW rounded out the group.
 
CAPTAIN'S ORDERS
Second-year head coach Anthony Bruno has named the captains for the 2023-24 seasons.
 
Women's captains: Hayley Beutel, Tiffany Matulis and Bridget Thomas.
 
Men's captains: TJ Bearor, Brian Benzing and Evan Bota.