College Swimming & Diving

Men: Rider University 182, Loyola University Maryland 114

Women: Rider University 155, Loyola University Maryland 139

LAWRENCEVILLE-The Broncs swept Loyola in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference dual meet Saturday in the final home meet of the season. "I am definitely happy for the seniors," said Rider head coach Steve Fletcher.  "It was a good way to finish the home season."

For the Rider men, junior Johnny Funk (Las Vegas, Nev./Southeast Academy) won the 100 backstroke (52.05), the 200 backstroke (1:54.63) and the 200 individual medley (1:55.96) and junior Brian Molloy (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) won the 100 free (47.64), the 200 free (1:44.41) and the 50 free (21.79).

"Johnny is a 'go-to' guy," Fletcher said.  "He's a tremendous competitor and he's very focused. He is a lot stronger this year and I believe that will pay off well at the end of the year. Brian was a distance swimmer early in his career but he has really settled in to the shorter events."

For the Rider women, sophomore Melanie Leonhard (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) won the 1,000 free (10:38.59) and the 500 free (5:12.53).

Freshman Morgan Kandrac (Hamilton, NJ/Notre Dame) won the 100 breaststroke (1:09.95) and the 200 breaststroke (2:30.44) and swam on the winning 200 medley relay with senior Kori Kraus (Mays Landing, NJ/St. Joseph's), freshman Rachel Brooker (Stevens, PA/Cocalico) and freshman Taylor Byerly (Ridgefield, CT/Ridgefield) in 1:46.70.

For Kraus, it was her final meet in Coppola Pool.  "Kori has been an exemplary leader," Fletcher said.  "She has gotten better and better as the year went on and I am very happy for her, the way she is finishing her senior year. She has really helped this young team move in the right direction."

For Kandrac, it was her first Rider team victory.  "Morgan stepped up and performed well so the team had a shot to win today," Fletcher said. "She's been having a great freshman year."

Also for the Rider men, junior Julien Hensen (Delafield, Wis./Kettle Moraine) won the 100 breaststroke (59.20), freshman Drew Peterson (Boulder City, Nev./Boulder City) won the 200 butterfly (1:53.46) and freshman Zach DeLillo (Reading, PA/Wilson) won the 100 butterfly (52.05).

Senior Brendan Cavallaro (Middleboro, Mass/Middleboro) won the 3-meter dive (327.83) and sophomore Trevor Hiller (Galloway Twp., NJ/Absegami) won the 1-meter dive (294.82)

Also for the Rider women junior Kelly O'Connor (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) won the 200 butterfly (2:06.24) and the 100 butterfly (58.58) and junior Addie Oswald (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley) won the 200 backstroke (2:06.19) and the 200 individual medley (2:10.40).

The men's 200 medley relay team of Funk, graduate student Mike Tubb (Swedesboro, NJ/St. Augustine Prep), DeLillo and Hensen also won (1:35.34).

The Broncs take to the pool again at Fairfield January 21. "We have one more conference meet and a non-conference dual over the next two weekends," Fletcher said, "which will help us prepare for the conference championships."

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