Nov. 18, 2005

FAIRFAX, Va. - Highlighted by Meghan Thiel's (Arlington, Va./Yorktown High School) runner-up in the 500 free and two other top-ten performances, the American University men's and women's swimming and diving teams sit in 10th and 11th respectively.

Thiel fell behind early to UMBC's Meghan Sackett the 500 free and could not catch back as she went on to finish second in 4:55.74. In winning Sackett broke the meet record.

Senior Val Fomenko (Jovy-En-Josas, France/Espadon Develizy) was apart of AU's two other top-ten finishes. Individually he finished eighth in the final of the 200 IM with a 1:57.25. Earlier in the day, Fomenko swam 1:56.02 in the prelims. The team of Fomenko, Chris Leggett (Wellesley, Ma./Wellesley HS), Steve Brennan (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) and Estebe Salgado (San Sebastian, Spain/E.S. Usandizga) also finished eighth, this time in the 200 free with a time of 1:27.02. Brennan had the team's fastest split with a 21.50.

The Eagles return to the pool at George Mason tomorrow for another full day of swimming and diving in day two of the three day event.