Swim dives off against Northridge
Campus Times
October 29, 1999
Sophomore Ryan MacDonald gives a hard pull in the breaststroke leg
of his individual medley last Saturday at the La Verne Aquatics Center.
MacDonald finished in second place with a time of 2:08. The swim team begins
its regular season Nov. 6.
The University of La Verne swim team surpassed the expectations of spectators,
coaches and itself Saturday in a practice meet against California State
University, Northridge, at the La Verne Aquatic Center.
Although the overall outcome of the meet was a 172-66 defeat for the
Leopards, head coach John Hallman was content with the performance of his
athletes.
"I was surprised at how much more competitive it was," said
Hallman on the improvement from last year's competitive event with the Matadors.
With a only week of preparation, Hallman told his athletes that he expected
to "win some battles" against the Division I competitors.
The men's team won its first battle in the 50-meter freestyle event
when sophomore John Chon took first place with a time of 22.47 seconds.
Chon's time was a mere three-tenths of second away from meeting the school
record.
Soon thereafter, Leopards' swimmer Roger Garcia came in first place
for the men's squad in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:08.67.
The women's team also gave noteworthy efforts in a variety of events.
Freshman Tiffany Yates shone for La Verne with her first place time
of 25.95 seconds in the women's 50 freestyle event.
Spreading the wealth were the women's relay teams, who brought home
some additional accomplishments.
Sophomore Katie Aimone, freshman Nicole Cataneso, freshman Katie Lyons
and sophomore Tandis Morgan combined their efforts to surpass three competitors
in taking second place in the women's 200 relay with a time of 1:55.91.
One of the major women's team highlights on Saturday came from the solo
performance of relay member Lyons, who set a new school record in the 100
butterfly event with a time of 1:07.7.
"They had more numbers than us, but we put the pressure on them,"
women's co-captain Aimone said of the team's performance against Northridge.
In retrospect of the meet, Hallman was pleased with the team's experience.
"We have a starting point now," he said.
Noting that in last year's meet the Leopards defeated the Matadors in
only one event (sophomore Jessica Morgan won the 500 freestyle last year),
Hallman said he was additionally impressed with the team's annual betterment
and overall unity.
The La Verne swim team will use its starting point to compete in the
Pomona-Pitzer Invitational a week from tomorrow. Competition is scheduled
to begin at 9 a.m.
