Meet Results

MAHWAH, N.J. – In nail-biting fashion, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's swimming team (2-1) pulled out a 135-127 victory over host Ramapo College (1-2) on Saturday afternoon in a meet that came down to the last relay.

Few dual meets ever come down to the last event, and when they do, it is a test of mettle for both teams. The Hawks aced that test against the Roadrunners, using four strong legs to clock the meet-clinching time in the 400 freestyle relay.

Heading into the final event, Ramapo held a 123-122 edge over New Paltz, which meant that the winner of the 400 freestyle relay would ultimately take the meet. Eleven points are awarded for a first-place relay finish, while just four points are given to the second-place squad.

Senior Billy Papetti (Long Beach, N.Y.) led off with a 50.86, but the Hawks trailed by .07 seconds heading into the second leg. Junior Jeremy Borrelli (Vestal, N.Y.) came through in the biggest of ways, splitting a 49.01 to give nearly a two-second advantage to junior Corey Lomas (Wilbraham, Mass.) at the halfway point. Lomas held serve, slightly extending the Hawks' lead heading into the anchor leg with a split of 50.25. Ramapo's Mike Waterhouse went to work early, chipping away at New Paltz's lead in the first 50 of the final 100 yards. Senior Pat Rathbun (Long Valley, N.J.) held on down the stretch, holding off a charging Waterhouse while splitting a 49.50. Rathbun stopped the clock at 3:19.62, which stood just more than a second faster than Ramapo's 3:20.85. Waterhouse's 48.50 was the fastest split among all swimmers in the event.

While no one event can be tabbed as the difference of the meet, fortunes for the Hawks changed in the 100 freestyle. Papetti edged out Waterhouse for first by .02 seconds, checking in at 50.31, and Borrelli and Rathbun claimed third and fourth with times of 50.37 and 50.89, respectively.

Junior Pete Nastasi (Monroe, N.Y.) and senior Rob Webb (Hillsborough, N.J.) each led the Hawks, winning two events apiece. Nastasi placed first in the 200 freestyle (1:50.78) and the 500 freestyle (5:02.56), while Webb posted the top time in the 200 breaststroke (2:21.66) and the 200 individual medley (2:03.65).

Junior Marc Battisti (East Meadow, N.Y.) paced the 1000 freestyle field with a 10:43.74 performance, while Papetti captured the 100 freestyle in 50.31.

Steve Fox of Ramapo gave New Paltz all it could handle, as he garnered first-place points in three events: the 100 backstroke (57.47), the 50 freestyle (22.30) and the 200 backstroke (2:03.86).

New Paltz looks to continue its winning ways on Saturday, Nov. 20, when it hosts cross-river rival Vassar College in Elting Pool at 1 p.m.