New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz swimming team expected a challenging meet against Adelphi University, a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II opponent, but easily came out victorious on both the women, 133-107, and men's, 120-99, sides Saturday in its home opener in Elting Pool.
 
"[The meet] went pretty well. We had a bunch of numbers on them, so the races were kind of uneven in that sense, but we kind of figured out our strategies going into the rest of the season and hopefully now we can get the speed onto it," said Hawks freshman Jared Finn. 
 
SUNY New Paltz overpowered the Panthers so considerably that the last four events, the 200-yard individual medley and 200-yard freestyle relay weren't scored. Adelphi University put up strong efforts and won multiple events, but SUNY New Paltz racked up a wealth of points in second and third place finishes. The Panthers had more women on their roster than the Hawks, but SUNY New Paltz's men outnumbered Adelphi University's by seven.
 
The women kicked off the meet with a first place finish in the 600-yard medley relay, a nontraditional competition event, comprised of sophomores Tessa Griger, Lindsay Kranitz, senior Jaimie Kaefer and junior Chelsea Angulas. Individually, Kranitz placed first in the 50-yard and 100-yard breastroke, while Angulas was the first to the wall in the 100-yard backstroke.
 
Senior Degen Mariniello finished first in the 500-yard freestyle, followed by senior Nicole Lee. Lee also placed first in the 50 free. Senior Katie Donlevy won three events: the 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard freestyle and 50-yard butterfly.
 
Angulas, Lee and freshman Victoria Bogdanski snatched second, third and fourth places in an exciting 50-yard backstroke, respectively.
 
"Well since it was the first home meet everyone was really excited so our energy was high, we were all cheering for each other and we had some really fast races," said Mariniello. "Our relays got up and got everything done and it was just a really good time."
 
Finn was the first to the wall in two extremely close races: the 200-and 100-yard freestyle, both of which he out-touched Panther swimmers by less than half a second. Sophomore Nolan West followed Finn for a second place, while freshman Ethan Bonney came in third, boxing out the competition. Bonney also later claimed first in the 500-yard freestyle. 
 
The men racked up the first three places in the 50-yard freestyle as well. West touched first with a time of 23.20, followed by senior Matthew Kessler (23.21) and junior Tim Stecher (23.64).
 
"I think winning our first home meet is really exciting, so we're going to carry that excitement through our practice and through to the next meets," said Mariniello.

SUNY New Paltz will have back-to-back meets next week against Vassar College Friday at Elting Pool at 6 p.m. before traveling to Clinton, NY to face Hamilton College at 5 p.m. Saturday.

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