Feb. 24, 2008

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - The squad of -- Sadie Mele, Karen Cilento, Bonnie Fiallo and Teresa Higgins started the session the same way they did yesterday - with a new school record. Their time in the 200 medley relay broke the school record by more than five seconds - recording a new record that stands at 2:04.87.

As they did yesterday, both Cilento and Mele advanced to the finals in their individual events. Cilento, swimming in the 100 yard breaststroke advanced to the bonus final by finishing 24th, with a time of 1:15.61 making her the second fastest breaststroker in NJIT school history. Ana Ossa is the only other NJIT swimmer to ever swam the 100 breaststroke faster.

In the 100 yard backstroke, Mele advanced to the consolation finals with her 11th place finish. Her time of 1:03.66 breaks the school record she set leading off yesterday's 400 medley relay.

In the 200 yard freestyle, Teresa Higgins achieved a personal best time of 2:17.82 and finished in 28th place.

Over in the men's pool, the Highlanders had another great session.

In the 200 medley relay, the team of -- Steve Schreyer, Mike Lawson, Hayk Ekshian and Sean Stafford clocked a season best time of 1:45.25 and advanced to the scoring round in 12th place.

In the 200 yard freestyle, NJIT experienced some excellent results when all four of their swimmers achieved personal best times. The squad of -- Michael Finley, James Paccioretti, Sean Stafford and Pablo Botero; each significantly lowered their time with Paccioretti and Stafford dipping below the two minute barrier for the first time ever. Paccioretti advanced to the finals in 24th place.

Captain Lawson recorded a personal best in the 100 yard breaststroke and also advanced to the finals in 24th place.

The 100 yard backstroke, saw three NJIT swimmers clock excellent times. Schreyer swam his fastest time in the last three years and just missed his personal best time. Finley and Alfio Racite each recorded their best ever swims in the event.

The best event of the morning for the Highlander men was undoubtedly the 100 yard butterfly. Lawson dropped a seasonal best to a near personal best with his time of :59.77. Moments later, Ekshian broke his one year old school record (:53.20) with a time of :53.08.

"We had another great session. The trick of doing well in a meet like this is to come in the morning and swim your best swims. You have to go fast in the morning to advance to the final (where you core the points). We did that well today. We got some people in the position to score individual points. They did a fantastic job." said head coach Eric Rasmussen.

(description courtesy of head coach Eric Rasmussen)