Oct. 19, 2002
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University men's and women's swimming and diving teams opened the 2002-2003 season Saturday by bringing home a pair of second place finishes in the Kentucky Relays at the University of Kentucky's Lancaster Aquatics Center.
The men were edged by the host Wildcats 156-146 with Transylvania University coming in a distant third with 86 points. On the women's side, the Lady Toppers fell 178 to 124 to Kentucky. Transylvania again came in a distant third.
The Hilltoppers picked up four first place finishes in 13 events and finished second in each of the other nine. The trio of Gord Veldman, Nick Bracco and Greg Strickler brought home first place finishes in both backstroke relays. In the 3x150 backstroke, the threesome won by over a second in 1:10.15. The group won the 3x300 backstroke in 2:34.05. Chad Waits , Jay Smith, and Ryan Crosby combined to win the 3x300 butterfly in 2:33.78. Jerrod Janes and Charles Knight teamed with Veldman and Crosby to win the 200 Medley Relay.
The Lady Toppers finished the day with one first place finish and 11 second place finishes. The trio of Jordan Beck , Carol Brown and Meredith Mountjoy claimed first place in the 3x300 butterfly.
The women travel to Las Cruces, N.M. to compete in the Sun Belt Fall Classic on Friday and Saturday while the men are off. Both teams will visit the University of Louisiana-Monroe for a pair of dual meets on Saturday, Nov. 2.
