Meet Results

ONEONTA, N.Y. – An inspired collection of performances in the men's 400 freestyle relay helped complete a comeback win, as the State University of New York at New Paltz men's swimming team (1-2) edged SUNY Oneonta (1-1), 104-99, on Friday afternoon at G. Hal Chase Gymnasium Pool.

The Red Dragons led, 95-91, before the leadoff swimmers of the men's 400 freestyle relay—the last event of the meet—stepped up onto the blocks. In order to win the meet, New Paltz had to post the event's fastest time. Using a relay comprised mostly of non-sprinters, the Hawks entered the race as long shots.

Oneonta's leadoff swimmer clocked a 50.39 to senior Jesse Sweeney's (East Lyme, Conn./East Lyme) 51.21, which gave the Red Dragons nearly a one-second lead. Freshman Lucas Rusinak (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's Boys) evened the two squads with a 50.06 split on the Hawks' second leg, and sophomore Luke Meyers (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach) spotted senior Corey Lomas (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaug Regional) a slight lead heading into the anchor leg. Lomas darted out to a fast first 50 yards, pounding the wall at 22.77 at the halfway point. Alex Miller—Oneonta's star swimmer—got off to a slightly slower start than Lomas, swimming the first 50 yards in 22.99. Miller, however, began to gain ground on Lomas down the stretch, reeling him in with each stroke. Lomas was able to hold on, however, touching out Miller to give New Paltz a win by .02 seconds. The Hawks' relay clocked a 3:20.98, while Oneonta touched at 3:21.00.

Rusinak and Lomas helped key the Hawks' win by placing first in each of their individual events. Rusinak swam the 1,000 freestyle in a pool-record 10:16.57 before claiming the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:00.32. Lomas reigned supreme in each of the sprint freestyle events, boasting the top time in the 50 freestyle (22.77) and the 100 freestyle (49.34).

Freshman Michael Lacroce (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra) fared well in his college swimming debut, taking the 100 butterfly in 2:07.68, while Taylor's strong final 100 yards helped him win the 200 breaststroke (2:24.65).

Sweeney placed second in the 200 freestyle (1:53.21) and the 200 backstroke (2:06.87), while freshman Brendan Kewin (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) was the runner-up in the 400 individual medley (4:41.45).

New Paltz returns to the pool in less than 24 hours, hosting the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in its 2011-12 home opener tomorrow afternoon at Elting Pool. The first event is scheduled to commence at 1 p.m.