Results (HTM)

WAYNE, N.J. – Celebrating Senior Appreciation Day at Wightman Pool, the William Paterson swimming and diving teams split a dual meet with visiting Montclair State Feb. 9. The Pioneer men (9-4) rode the momentum of an upset in the 1,000 free to a 151-149 victory, while the women (11-4) pushed the Red Hawks until the very final event in a 159-139 loss.

An upset win by junior David Caputo (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis) in the 1,000 (10:36.61) free set the tone for the team victory for WP. Sophomore Vojtech Karas (Brno, Czech Republic/Ludvika Danka) was a triple winner for the Pioneers, touching first in the 50 (21.96), 100 (48.52) and 200 (1:50.22) frees. Junior Michael O'Shea (Edgewater, N.J./Leonia) earned wins in the one-meter required (137.45) and optional (200.25) dives, and freshman Evan Seftel (Montville, N.J./Montville) earned a win in the 100 fly (57.30).

The women's dual meet came down to the final event, but Montclair State's one-two finish in the 400 free relay gave the Red Hawks the 20-point win. Junior Grace McKay (Fair Lawn, N.J./Fair Lawn) was a triple winner with victories in the 100 fly (1:02.5), and 100 (1:02.59) and 200 (2:17.3) backs. Sophomore Giana Albruzzese (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) was the winner of the one-meter required (129.75) and optional (173.95) dives, junior Caitlin Rotondo (Brick, N.J./Methacton) touched first in the 200 breast (2:39.04), and Katelyn Esposito (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Twp.), Rotondo, McKay and Cathy Hartwell (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) earned a win with a time of 1:58.26 in the 200 medley relay.

The Pioneers celebrated Senior Appreciation Day, honoring Sean Davenport (Highland Lakes, N.J./Vernon Twp.), Matt Lorah (New Oxford, Pa./Gettysburg), Esposito and Jessica Lyon (Pequannock, N.J./Pequannock) prior to the meet.

The Pioneers will finish their season Feb. 22-24 at the Metropolitan Championships at Rutgers-New Brunswick.