College Swimming
Women: UMBC 165, Rider University 135
Men: UMBC 163, Rider University 133

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Broncs began the 2009-10 season with a loss to the University of Maryland Baltimore County Saturday. “We performed very well today,” said Rider head coach Steve Fletcher. “We were a lot closer than we expected to be so I’m very proud of their effort.”

For the Rider women, senior Kellyanne Tomasula (Sussex/Vernon Twp.) won the 100 backstroke in a Coppola Pool record time of 56.93 and won the 100 free in a pool record time of 52.65. Tomasula also swam on the winning 200 medley relay. “The 100 back was her own record she broke,” Fletcher said. “The 100 free is a very old record. It is early in the season to be breaking records but she’s a senior who is very talented. That was her goal coming in today.”

“It was only the pool records,” Tomasula said, down-playing her accomplishments. “I just went for it. It was a little nervous, being my last season-opening meet, but I had fun. We only have a couple home meets this year so I had to get it done.”

As usual, the Rider divers excelled. Senior Amanda Burke (Churchville, PA/William Tennent) won the 3-meter dive (336.38) and the 1-meter dive (297.00) and senior Paul Apostolakis (Brooklyn, NY/Fort Hamilton) won the 1-meter dive (304.87) and the 3-meter dive (252.52). “The diving helps us out every time,” Fletcher said. “Our divers are so reliable, so consistent all year. Every dual meet, championships, they never let us down. The diving really helped us stay in the meet today.”

“I didn’t feel too good going in but I ended up diving well, so I’m happy” said Burke, Rider’s only two-time NCAA qualifier and a two-time Rider Athlete of the Year. “This is probably the best I ever dove in a season-opener. I got my second highest score ever in the 3-meter. My goal is to break 300 every meet so that was a good start.”

The Rider freshmen got a taste of collegiate swimming and performed well. Freshman Brian Molloy (Toms River/Toms River East) won the 1,000 free (9:47.65) and the 500 free (4:46.02) and freshman Johnny Funk (Las Vegas, Nev./SE Career and Tech) won the 100 backstroke (52.55) and placed second in the 200 backstroke (1:55.69) and the 200 IM (1:58.81).

“Johnny swam very well,” Fletcher said. “Brian had a tough list of events, the 1,000 and the 200 free (placed third) are back-to-back events and he only has two or three minutes between them. He showed a lot of guts doing that.”

Also for the Rider men senior Scott Player (Chino Hills, CA/Ruben S. Ayala) won the 50 free (21.71) and placed second in the 100 butterfly (52.20).

Also for the Rider women junior Brianna Burns (Chestnut Ridge, NY/Spring Valley) won the 200 free (1:54.19) and the 50 free (24.73) and swam on the winning 200 medley relay. Junior Jennifer Sullivan (Rochester, NY/Gates Chili) won the 100 backstroke (1:10.21) and placed second in the 200 breaststroke (2:30.92) and freshman Kelly O'Connor (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) won the 200 backstroke (2:06.84) and placed second in the 200 individual medley (2:13.16). 

Rider is now 1-7 against UMBC, a perennial power in the America East Conference. “As far as our dual meet schedule goes, UMBC is always one of our toughest opponents,” Fletcher said. “They compete to win their conference every year. This is a great test for our freshman class in their first dual meet.”

“I love swimming against teams like UMBC,” Tomasula said. “It is always nice having great competition pushing you.” 

Rider travels to Seton Hall Friday, October 23. “We usually go Saturdays so a short week this week,” Fletcher said. “That is always a very competitive BIG EAST meet for us.”

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