HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Lehigh swimming and diving teams caught their first glimpse of Patriot League competition on Saturday afternoon as the Mountain Hawks took part in a three team meet with Colgate and Navy at Lineberry Natatorium. On the men’s side it was a dual meet between the Mountain Hawks and the Raiders, a match-up which Lehigh won 165-135 to pick up its first victory of the season and even its record at 1-1. The Lehigh women battled two tough teams, Colgate and Navy and lost to both, falling to the Raiders 209-90 and the Midshipmen 220-80.
On the men’s side the Mountain Hawks won nine of the 16 contested events. Sophomore Jonathan Kearney led the way, winning three individual events: the 1000 free, 200 fly and 500 free. Junior Tom Gilbert and senior Grant Flothmeier picked up victories in the 100 back and 100 breast respectively. Freshman Dan Johnson won the 200 yard free and finished second in the 100 free to teammate Sean Herman. Sophomore Clark Cohen won both men’s diving events on the afternoon for the Mountain Hawks.
The Lehigh women were up against two tough, fast Patriot League squads in Colgate and Navy. The Mountain Hawks best finishes were third in four different events. Individually, junior Betsy Balaguer placed third in the 1000 free and Linda Hendrixson took third in the 200 yard breaststroke. Lehigh also finished third in the 200 yard free relay with a team comprised of Courtney Smith, Amanda Dickson, Sherri Pickens and Anne Grossinger. In the 400 free relay, Balaguer Alyssa Zellner, Nicole Lorigan and Jeannette Braun raced to a third place finish. The Mountain Hawks now stand at 0-3 on the season with Saturday’s losses.
The Mountain Hawks will return to the pool on Saturday, November 12 when they travel to Philadelphia for a three-team meet with Penn and Rider. The meet gets underway at noon.