Mountain Hawks return to the pool Friday at West Chester
Posted: 10/20/2011
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh swimming and diving teams return to the pool for the second time this season when they Mountain Hawks head to West Chester (Pa.) to square off against the Golden Rams Friday night. Both the men’s and women’s teams come in with 1-0 records after defeating Holy Cross in the season opener October 9.
The win over Holy Cross featured some outstanding performances by the freshmen women, including Alissa Leung who won two individual events, leading the Mountain Hawks to top-three sweeps in the 200 yard individual medley and the 100 yard backstroke. The upperclassmen also showcased their prowess with senior Paola Simon winning the 50 yard freestyle and the 100 free and senior Priscilla Barletta leading a Lehigh sweep in the 200 free as well to help secure the victory.
On the men’s side, freshman Dan Bennett led an all-freshman sweep for the Mountain Hawks in the 1000 free. Bennett also delivered the best time in the 500 free after Lehigh had already clinched the meet. These freshman performances bode well for the remainder of the season, displaying Lehigh’s depth. The returning Mountain Hawks also enjoyed strong days against the Crusaders, as six upperclassmen won individual events. The men also enjoyed 
a strong day on the diving boards with senior Connor Styles winning the one and three meter events.
The West Chester men and women both enter Friday’s meet with 1-0 records after sweeping Shippensburg back on October 7. The Golden Rams have been the dominant program in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, winning 13 straight PSAC titles on the men’s side and nine of the last 11 on the women’s side. West Chester is the defending PSAC champions in both genders.
Last year the teams split a dual meet at Jacobs Pool, with Lehigh’s prevailing on the men’s side and West Chester winning the women’s meet. The Mountain Hawks have won three straight men’s meets against the Golden Rams.
Friday’s meet gets underway at 6 p.m. from Graham Natatorium.