WAYNE, N.J. (NOVEMBER 3, 2006) - The William Paterson men's (1-1) and women's (1-1) swimming and diving teams earned their first dual-meet victories of the season, sweeping Stevens Tech Nov. 3 in the Pioneers' first home meet of the season at Wightman Gym.

"We swam extremely well tonight," said 31st-year WPU head coach Ed Gurka. "To perform this well so early in the season is outstanding. Several of our swimmers really stepped up, such as Kirk Smith on the men's side, and Cathy Hartwell had a tremendous performance."

The William Paterson men earned a 109-83 victory against the Ducks as three Pioneers were double winners. Sophomore David Caputo (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis) won the 500 (5:12.53) and 1,000 (10:51.31) freestyles, while freshman Vojtech Karas (Morris Plains, N.J.) was first in the 200 freestyle (1:49.07) and the 100 fly (56.78). Freshman Joe Shirrman (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush) was the winner of the 50 (23.26) and 100 (51.64) frees, and freshman Kirk Smith (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) placed first in the 200 IM (2:11.83). Stefan Rosales (Rahway, N.J./St. Joseph's Metuchen), Smith, Karas and Shirrman won the 200 medley relay (1:43.76), and Caputo, Brian Fischer (Forked River, N.J./Lacey Twp.), J.P. McNamera (Caldwell, N.J./James Caldwell) and Todd Correia (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Boro) were first in the 200 freestyle relay (1:34.69).

The women earned a 104-86 victory against Stevens Tech. Sophomore Cathy Hartwell (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) won the 50 (25.89) free in a time that matched her effort at last season's Metropolitan Championships, and nearly matched her 2006 Met time in the 100 free (56.51). Classmate Grace McKay (Fairlawn, N.J./Fairlawn) earned a victory in the 100 back (1:05.21), and junior Jessica Lyon (Pequannock, N.J./ Pequannock) took the title in the 100 breaststroke (1:13.64) to lead the Pioneers. McKay, Lyon, Colleen Takemoto (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) and Hartwell swam a time of 1:58.01 to win the 200 medley relay, and Melanie Mejias (Union, N.J./Union), Traci Dombrowski (Union, N.J./Union), Donivyn Schmidt (Mansfield, N.J./Warren Hills) and Kathy Borrero (Toms River, N.J./Monsignor Donovan) won the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:49.35.

The Pioneers will host SUNY Maritime Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 6:00 p.m. at Wightman Gym.