Jan. 15, 2011

Final Stats

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - In their final home contest of the 2010-2011 season, the Marist men's swimming and diving team had a dual meet with the Southern Connecticut State University Owls, Saturday afternoon at the McCann Natatorium. Facing off against the 1 win and 2 loss Owls, Marist was initially in a back and forth battle, but as the events wore on the Red Foxes got stronger and pulled away for a 161-122 win. They were paced by nine event wins, eight individual and one relay.

Seniors Brian Bolstad (Highland, N.Y.) and Keith Miller (Missoula, Mont.) were joined by freshman Steven Vendetta (South Windsor, Conn.) and Patrick Shea (Peabody, Mass.) also picked up victories.

Bolstad won the 3-meter board decisively with a score of 339.52, clearing the second place finisher by over 100 points. With another dominant performance in the 1-meter board, he won first place with a score of 334.72, again defeating his nearest competitor by over 100 points. His 18 individual points were second best for the Red Foxes on the day.

In swimming events, Miller led the Marist effort with 22 individual points. He posted wins in the 50-yd. freestyle with a time of 22.33 and in the 100-yd. freestyle with a 48.66 time. The 100-yd. freestyle also saw senior Joshua Sklanka (Watertown, Conn.) and freshman Alex Lombardi (Branford, Conn.) finish in the top three. Miller also collected points with a second place finish in the 200-yd. freestyle.

Spinella was the third member of the men's team to collect two victories. He posted wins in the 100-yd. backstroke with a time of 54.33 and in the 200-yd. backstroke with a 1:59.44 time. Spinella cruised to victory in the 200-yd event with nearly a five second advantage over second place finisher, Marist sophomore Daniel Collins (Brooklyn, N.Y). Spinella also swam in the first position for the victorious 200-yd. medley relay team.

Vendetta won the day's sixth event, the 200-yd. freestyle. He held off his two Marist teammates, Keith Miller and Alex Lombardi to win with a time of 1:44.99. Like Spinella, he was also a member of the victorious 200-yd. medley relay team.

After competing and finishing second in the grueling 1650-yd. freestyle, Shea came back later in the day and secured victory in the 500-yd. freestyle with a time of 4:53.00. He was followed closely by teammates, senior Leo Draham (Blue Bell, Pa.) and sophomore Stephen Miller (Downington, Pa.).

The Red Foxes will return to action next Saturday, January 22 at 12 p.m. in Baltimore, Md. Marist will take on the University of Maryland-Baltimore County in a dual meet.

Prior to the event the six seniors of the Class of 2011 were honored in a presentation highlighting their efforts over their four years at Marist College.

Here's a little bit more about the seniors, each of whom played an important role in the Red Foxes' 2008 MAAC Championship...

Thomas Byrnes of Rhinebeck, New York. T.J. has been an important member of the men's swimming program the past four years. His versatility has been an asset, as he has swum in butterfly, backstroke and individual medley events. T.J. has competed at the MAAC Championships all three years with a career best 8th place finish in the 2010 - 400 yd. IM, 2009 - 400 yd. IM and the 2008 - 400 yd. IM & 200 yd. backstroke.

Joshua Sklanka of Watertown, Connecticut. Joshua has been a leading performer of the men's swimming program the past four years. A member of the school record-holding 200-yard Medley Relay team, Joshua has competed in 19 individual and team events at the MAAC Championships for Marist. A member of the 2008 MAAC Champion 200-yard freestyle relay team, he's also posted four top 8 times in individual championship events. Joshua is also a two time member of the All-MAAC Academic Team.

Keith Miller of Missoula, Montana. Keith has been a top competitor in the men's program over his four years. During his three trips to the MAAC Championships, Keith has swum in 19 individual and team Championship finals. A member of the 2008 MAAC Champion 200-yard freestyle relay team, he has also placed in the top 8 five times in individual competitions. Keith has been named to the All-MAAC Academic Team twice during his career.

Brian Bolstad of Highland, New York. Brian has been a stalwart of the men's diving program since his freshman year. A school record holder of the 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards, he's competed at the MAAC and ECAC Championships all three years, winning three titles: the 2010 MAAC - 3-meter board, in Conference record form, and the 2010 ECAC - 1-meter and 3-meter boards. For his accomplishments, he was named ECAC Diver of the Meet, as well as, the distinguished 2010 ECAC Athlete of the Year. A three-time NCAA Zone Diving Championship qualifier, Brian has been named MAAC Diver of the Week, 15 times.

Leo Draham of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Leo has been a successful distance freestyle swimmer throughout his four years at Marist. A three time participant in MAAC Championship action, he has posted six top 8 finishes in the competition's distance events with a career best 4th coming in 2008's 1000-yard freestyle. For his achievements in the classroom, Leo has twice been named to the All-MAAC Academic Team.

Steven Vendetta of South Windsor, Connecticut. Steven has been a successful performer for the Red Foxes throughout his four years. A three time participant in MAAC Championship action, he has swum in 17 individual and team events, with 6 top 8 finishes among them. He posted career bests in three events at the 2010 finals: a 3rd place finish in the 500-yard freestyle, the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 800-yard freestyle relay. A high achiever in the classroom as well, Steven has twice been named to the All-MAAC Academic Team.