Oct. 3, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University swimming and diving teams opened the 2008-09 season on Friday, Oct. 3 at Reeves Aquatic Center. The women's team finished in third place, behind Navy and George Mason. The men finished fourth, with George Mason, George Washington and Mary Washington finishing ahead of them in the points.

Four women's relays secured second-place finishes in the event. The 200 medley relay clocked in at 1:52:63, with Jess Balance, Dory Isaacs, Mary-Margaret Lopez and Elinor Shetter each swimming a leg, just behind the George Washington squad. The 300 butterfly relay, consisting of Balance, Shetter and Lopez also finished second with a time of 3:02.89 and the women's 1000 free relay team of Alexandra Wessel and Anna Gooding with a time of 10:40:76. Finally, the 200 free relay wrapped up the event, finishing just under half a second behind first-place team from George Mason. Leah Breen, Wessel, Shetter and Isaacs swam for the Eagles.

The men's team got their best results in the 200 free relay, as the team of Matt Pelletier, Travis Rianda, Brian Galm and Eric Sveum swam a time of 1:29.12 for a second-place finish. Pelletier, Sam Miller and Sveum made up the third-place 300 back relay with a time of 2:48.49.

The Eagles will be back in the pool on Oct. 17 when they head to cross-town rival George Washington for a tri-meet with the Colonials and Catholic University. Day two of the competition will be held at American University.