KEENE, N.H. 1/22/11 – Just as advertised, Keene State College and Bentley University hooked up in a highly-competitive dual meet at Spaulding Gym pool on Saturday afternoon.  And when the goggles were finally removed, the Keene State men (4-0) had a satisfying 164-117 and victory while the Owl women (2-5) fought to the end before falling to the Falcons 156-144.

"After a long break, the guys were anxious to see how they could do and they had a strong meet," said KSC Coach Jack Fabian.  The women did fantastic.  The finish within 12 points after losing our shirts in diving is very impressive. Even when things are looking grim, they fight it out to the end."

The Keene State men won 14 of the 15 swim events.  Freshman Drew Ledwith (Keene, N.H.) was a triple-winner for the Owls, taking first in the 100 back (56.04), the 200 back (1:58.13) and the 200 I.M. (2:01.94).  Senior Cody Larrimore (Trappe, Md.) and sophomore Marc Marois (Derry, N.H.) each won a pair of races.  Larrimore prevailed in the 50 free (21.38) and the 100 fly (52.38) and Marois touched the wall first in the 100 breast (1:04.19) and 200 breast (2:19.98).

Single race victories were posted by freshman Dan Oliveira (Ludlow, Mass.) in the 1,000 free (10:20.73), senior Lucas Pozzetta (Merrimack, N.H.) in the 200 free (1:49.47), senior DJ Collis (Laconia, N.H.) in the 200 fly (2:03.71), senior Connor Pennoyer (Norwalk, Conn.) in the 100 free (47.63) and senior Dan Morse (Hope, R.I.) in the 500 free (4:52.83).

Freshman Jared Hyde (Tolland, Conn.) and sophomore Austin Harris (Essex Junction, Vt.) teamed up with Pennoyer and Larrimore to win the 200 medley relay (1:37.83).   The 400 free relay team of freshman Nathan Thompson (Chester, N.H.), Hyde, Ledwith and Larrimore posted a winning time of 3:19.70.

Sophomore Kaila Umbarger (Chelmsford, Mass.0 had a big day in the pool for the KSC women, winning the 50 free (24.65), the 100 free (53.85) and the 100 fly (58.82).  Junior Jillian Whitaker (Gilford, N.H.) won the 100 breast (1:06.44) and the 200 breast (2:28.02) races.

A pair of freshman also won events.  Chelsea Nolan (Lowell, Mass.) placed first in the 1,000 free (11:17.39) and Lianna Wissmann (Orleans, Mass.) topped the field in the 100 back (1:02.04).

Junior Maureen O'Leary (Nashua, N.H.) joined up with Umbarger, Wissmann, and Whitaker to win the 200 medley relay (1:50.16).

Next up for the Owls is a home meet next Saturday against Conn. College.