February 18, 2006 - Men 2nd / Women 2nd at MAAC's
February 18, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Swimming & Diving
Rider at MAAC Championships
Women 2nd of 10, Men 2nd of 8
Fletcher M/W Coach of the Year / Modrov's MAAC M/W Swimmers of the Year
Korn MAAC Male Diver of the Year / Ceppa MAAC Diving Coach of the Year
BALTIMORE, MD--Sometimes, the opponent is that good. Set seven conference records, swim beyond even the lofty expectations of an award-winning coaching staff and yet, still finish second. A little disappointment for the swimmers but not a bit of disappointment in the effort from anyone.
For the second year in a row, both the Rider University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams finished second to Marist at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships, hosted by Loyola College this weekend.
Rider freshman Priscilla Modrov (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) was named the MAAC women’s most outstanding swimmer, sophomore diver Dylan Korn (Hawthorne, N.Y./Westlake) was named the male MAAC most outstanding diver, Brandon Modrov (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) was named the male MAAC most outstanding swimmer, head coach Steve Fletcher was named the women’s MAAC coach of the year and male MAAC co-coach of the year and Rider diving coach Dennis Ceppa was named MAAC diving coach of the year.
That’s six of the seven major awards, won by a team that finished second, awards that are voted upon by Rider’s own competition.
“For our peers to recognize our team and myself in such a way, I am truly humbled,” said head coach Steve Fletcher. “Even though we finished second, we just about swept every major award and it is gratifying that the others teams reward the way you run your program and the dedication of our student-athletes.”
On Saturday for the men’s team, Dylan Korn won the one-meter dive with a MAAC record score of 279.55.
“I am very proud of Dylan in winning both the one-meter and the three-meter,” Fletcher said. “Dylan setting the conference record in the one-meter is special and is a credit to his hard work and that of diving coach Dennis Ceppa. No staff is complete without a great diving coach and Dennis gives me the best possible support. We have very similar coaching philosophies and make a good tandem. Dennis is a great coach and a great friend.”
Junior Andy French (Richfield, Minn./Richfield Senior) won the 1650 free (16:04.91), freshman Josh Rosenbluth (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence) won the 200 back (1:49.57), junior Brandon Modrov (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) won the 200 breast (2:05.60) and the 400 free relay of senior Dan Burgess (Greeley, Colo./Union Colony Prep), senior Trevor Vernal (Milford, Conn./Notre Dame), Modrov and junior Eric McFerin (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) won with a time of 3:04.57.
For the women’s team, junior Courtney Clark (Broomall, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) won the 1650 free (17:31.99) and junior Lauren Urbanski (Lansdowne, Pa./Upper Darby) won the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:05.97.
And by the way, did we mention seven conference records?
“From a historical stand point, breaking a single conference record is huge and seven in one meet, by a single team is, well, special,” said Fletcher. “We were able to break some of the oldest records on the board,” Fletcher added. “The MAAC has such a rich swimming history, teams like Army and La Salle from the late 1980’s when the records were set. And the swimmers are students of the sport. They won’t realize it tonight but in a few weeks, they will start to realize the historical significance of their accomplishments and for the returning swimmers, who knows what they can accomplish next year.”
Second place for the second year in a row may be frustrating to some but Fletcher sees some positives. “Overall, as I have said all season, we need to get deeper and the team knows that,” Fletcher said. “With that in mind, the team is handling the disappointment of being that close to a conference championship with grace but make no mistake, they are hungry to win MAAC’s and they know we have to build to get there. The team won’t let up until that goal is reached,” Fletcher added.
Rider competes at the ECAC Championships Thursday through Saturday.
“I don’t anticipate any type of letdown going into Pittsburgh next week,” said Fletcher. We are a little drained physically and mentally tonight and we need to get some rest but the team is resilient and dedicated. When they hit the water next week, they will do their best, no matter the situation. They are committed to their craft and they will be successful with that type of attitude and effort, added Fletcher.”
After all, records were made to be broken.
-RU-
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Men’s Scores |
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Women’s Scores |
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1. |
Marist |
884 |
1. |
Marist |
821 | ||||
|
2. |
Rider |
716 |
2. |
Rider |
782 | ||||
|
3. |
Loyola |
508 |
3. |
Loyola |
665 | ||||
|
4. |
Iona |
360 |
4. |
Fairfield |
402 | ||||
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5. |
Fairfield |
320 |
5. |
Iona |
324 | ||||
|
6. |
Niagara |
313 |
6. |
Niagara |
263 | ||||
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7. |
Saint Peter’s |
295 |
7. |
Siena |
182 | ||||
|
8. |
Canisius |
220 |
8. |
Manhattan |
159 | ||||
|
|
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9. |
Canisius |
132 | ||||
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10. |
Saint Peter’s |
66 | ||||
