Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware swim teams opened up the 2009-10 season with convincing victories over Howard during a non-conference meet on Saturday afternoon at the Rawstrom Natatorium.

The men posted a 145-87 win highlighted by a pair of individual victories from Hans Gillan, Ross Buckwalter, and Ryan Roberts. The women were guided by Kristen McBrien and Courtney Raw on the way to a 157-73 win of their own.

The women swept the top three spots in nine events during the day, while the men finished 1-2-3 in seven disciplines.

On the women’s side, McBrien led the way with a pair of strong performances in two short distance events. She took the title in the 100-backstroke with a 1:01.04 clocking, while she also paced the field in the 100-freestyle after finishing in 54.39.

Sophomore standout Elise Kanegawa (above) also finished the day with two titles, including an individual victory in the 200-butterfly. She started the afternoon by joining forces with Jena Marrinucci, Meghan Barber, and MaryKathryn Harris to take the 200-medley in 1:51.12 before capping her day with a 2:14.75 showing in the fly.

The women also received important contributions from several freshmen members of the team. Courtney Raw posted two victories in her Delaware debut, taking the 50-free in 24.46 and the 200-back in 2:12.15. Madeline Bowe also cruised to a win in the 200-freestyle with a time of 1:56.96, while fellow first-year standout Sarah Van Doren took the title in the 200-breaststroke with a showing of 2:29.08.

Not to be outdone, several other veteran members also came through with victories. Junior Lauren Guntner won the 1000-freestyle in 10:39.02, while team co-captain Marianne Flynn captured the 100-breaststroke in 1:08.45.

Gillan, the reigning Colonial Athletic Association champion in the 100-butterfly, led the way on the men’s side. Against the Bison, the senior standout captured the 100-backstroke in 53.80 and the 100-freestyle in 47.65.

Buckwalter also had a nice afternoon in the pool, taking the title in both breaststroke events. He cruised to a time of 58.56 in the 100-yard event, while he took the 200 in 2:16.89. Earlier in the meet, he also teamed with Nick Woomer, Michael Wodoslawsky, and Robert MacLeish to take the 200-medley relay title in 1:36.87.

Freshman Ryan Roberts rounded out the multiple victors after having an impressive collegiate debut. He paced the field in the 200-backstroke with a time of 1:55.24, while he also touched the wall first in the 1000-freestyle after completing the course in 9:52.52.

Among other Delaware champions, freshman Michael Garbarino took the top spot in the 200-butterfly with a time of 1:57.01, while Zach Schiavo cruised to the title in the 50-freestyle with a mark of 22.09.

The Blue Hens will be back in action next Saturday when the squad opens up the CAA season with a 1 p.m. match-up at George Mason.

WOMEN’S AGATE:

Delaware def. Howard, 157-73

Top Delaware Finishers: 1st Place – 200-Medley Relay (Marrinucci, Barber, Kanegawa, Harris, 1:51.12), Lauren Guntner (1000-Freestyle, 10:39.02), Madeline Bowe (200-Freestyle, 1:56.96), Kristen McBrien (100-Backstroke, 1:01.04; 100-Freestyle, 54.39), Marianne Flynn (100-Breaststroke, 1:08.45), Elise Kanegawa (200-Butterfly, 2:14.75), Courtney Raw (50-Freestyle, 24.46, 200-Backstroke, 2:12.15), Sarah Van Doren (200-Breaststroke, 2:29.08).

2nd Place – 200-Medley Relay (McBrien, Van Doren, Morse, Huber, 1:53.51), Allie Brown (1000-Freestyle, 10:41.68), Meghan Barber (200-Freestyle, 1:57.10, 2:29.70), Jena Marrinucci (100-Backstroke, 1:01.74), Hannah Facchine (100-Breaststroke, 1:08.60), Stephanie Dodd (200-Butterfly, 2:18.73), Donna Healy (100-Freestyle, 54.54), Aubrey Caldwell (200-Backstroke, 2:12.31).

3rd Place – 200-Medley Relay (Caldwell, Healy, Butler, Payonk, 1:54.11), Hannah Facchine (1000-Freestyle, 10:43.53, 200-Breaststroke, 2:30.25), Lesley Payonk (200-Freestyle, 1:58.36), Aubrey Caldwell (100-Backstroke, 1:02.24), Sarah Van Doren (100-Breaststroke, 1:08.77), Megan Huber (200-Butterfly, 2:24.77), MaryKathryn Harris (50-Freestyle, 25.31), Jena Marrinucci (100-Freestyle, 54.57), Lauren Guntner (200-Backstroke, 2:12.45).