Rider Sinks Marist
Swimmers, divers beat last year’s champions

By Eamon Ducey

To be the best, you have to beat the best, which was the opportunity granted to the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams.

Marist, the 2004-2005 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) champion, walked into Maurer Gym on Saturday, Nov. 5, looking to show off its swagger. But the Marist men’s team had another thing coming to it when the Broncs won the meet 127.50-115.50.

“It felt good to finally beat Marist,” Head Coach Steve Fletcher said. “They have a very impressive program.”

This was an outstanding victory because it ended Marist’s streak of 60 wins over its MAAC opponents. It was also the first time the Broncs beat the Red Foxes since ’94.

“It is a great accomplishment to snap a winning streak like that,” said Fletcher.

The women’s team was on the short side of the same score, 127.50-115.50. This was the slightest loss the women have ever suffered against conference foe Marist.

Senior Dan Burgess’ win was a big factor in the men’s success when he won the 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter freestyle.

“Dan has been a very consistent swimmer this year,” Fletcher said. “I think that his success is the year-round training.”

Burgess also swam on the winning men’s 400-meter medley relay team that set the Coppola Pool record time of 3:29.43. Others who swam on the relay team were freshmen Josh Rosenbluth and Stuart Barr and junior Brandon Modrov.

Rosenbluth also won the 200-meter individual medley as well as the 200-meter backstroke and Modrov also won the 1,000-meter freestyle.

“He has won every race he has been in this year,” Fletcher said. “He is a local kid that has been a great addition.”

For the Rider women, junior Courtney Clark won all three of her events including the 1,000-meter freestyle, the 200-meter freestyle and the 500-meter freestyle.

Freshman sensation Priscilla Modrov set a record for the Rider team and Coppola Pool record in the 200-meter individual medley with the time of 2:08.42.

“We were able to use her brother Brandon to recruit her,” Fletcher said. “She has been a great contributor to the women’s team.”

Also for the Rider men, sophomore Dylan Korn won the 1-meter dive, junior Eric McFerin won the 50-yard freestyle and senior Chris Coles, 2005 Diver of the Year, won the 3-meter dive.

The MAAC awarded Rosenbluth and Clark the male and female swimmers of the week for all Oct. 31 - Nov. 6 competitions.

“I am glad that we have had swimmers recognized in both of our meets,” Said Fletcher. “It shows what can happen when there is commitment.”

On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Broncs travel to the University of Pennsylvania to play against Penn and Lehigh. Neither team participates in the MAAC conference.