Cardinal Invitational
at Middletown, Conn.
Women: Southern Conn. 1215, BATES 943, Clark 640, Wesleyan 548
Men: Southern Conn. 966.5, BATES 911, Clark 745.5, Wesleyan 693

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — The Bates swimming and diving teams both took second place at Wesleyan's Cardinal Invitational this weekend. The Bobcats finished behind Division II Southern Connecticut State University in both meets and ahead of Clark and the host Cardinals.

Women: Southern Conn. 1215, BATES 943, Clark 640, Wesleyan 548

First-year swimmer Vanessa Williamson (Auburn, Maine), an Edward Little High School product, led the Bobcats with her performance in the 200-yard butterfly. Williamson won the event in a time of 2:08.99, qualifying for the NCAA Division III Championships in just her second collegiate meet. Williamson just missed the automatic qualifying 'A' standard by 0.5 seconds and is currently ranked second in the nation in the event. She took nearly two seconds off the six-year old record held by Melissa Sander '95. Williamson also took second in the 200 IM(2:14.68) and the 100 fly (1:00.48). Classmate Nicole Sparks (New Canaan, Conn.) was Bates' top individual performer of the meet, winning three freestyle events: the 50 (25.07), 100 (54.69) and 200 (2:00.30). Williamson and Sparks also teamed with sophomores Jaime Balicki (Manchester, Conn.) and Libby McConnell (No. Yarmouth, Maine) to win the 200 free relay, while the two rookies, senior Megan Simmons (Buffalo, N.Y.) and junior Megan Ferrari (Doylestown, Pa.) won the 400 and 200 medley relays.

Men: Southern Conn. 966.5, BATES 911, Clark 745.5, Wesleyan 693

Senior Andrew O'Donnell (Leonia, N.J.) was the top individual performer for the Bates men, winning the 100-yard backstroke (57.26) and taking third in the 200 (2:06.24). Diver Andrew Hastings (Weston, Mass.) also picked up an individual win in the 3-meter event with a score of 248.10. The Bobcats also performed well in the relays. O'Donnell, rookie Sao Hseng (Rangoon, Burma) and junior adam Bowden (Cumberland, Maine) teamed with senior Steve Imig (Denver, Colo.) to take the 400 medley, while sophomore Todd Bretl (Barrington, R.I.) anchored the 200 medley relay. Bowden, Bretl, Imig and first-year Craig Legault (Duxbury, Mass.) also won the 200 free relay, the meet's first event.

Full results available

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