SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - November 17, 2007 - The Springfield College men's swimming and diving team picked up its first win of the 2007-08 campaign as it cruised past visiting Wheaton College, 158-99, on Saturday afternoon at the Art Linkletter Natatorium. It was the Pride's first meet of the year against a Division III opponent.

On the 1-meter board, Ben Casavant (Acton, Mass.) recorded the third-highest score in the country this year and qualified for nationals with a score of 299.62. Casavant also finished first on the 3-meter board with a score of 261.27.

Springfield opened up the meet winning the 400-yard medley relay as the team of Justin Zook (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Andrew Blakesley (West Springfield, Mass.), Scott Teti (Torrington, Conn.), and Anthony Bruno (Southbury, Conn.) touched first in 3:44.18. Anthony Lamberston (Torrington, Conn) finished first in the 1000 freestyle in 10:57.79, while Zook picked up a first place finish in the 200 freestyle in 1:49.37.

Blakesley touched first in the 50 breaststroke in 28.64 and Teti followed up for the Pride with a first-place finish in the 100 butterfly in a time of 56.10.

Matt Manoni (Brookfield, Conn.) registered a first-place finish in the 50 freestyle in 21.68. Ryan Mackstutis (Torrington, Conn.) touched first in the 100 freestyle in 49.90, before Blakesley recorded another win on the day in the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.04. Zook also added a win in the 500 freestyle in 5:01.03.

Springfield returns to action when it participates in the ECAC's beginning on Friday, November 30.

published: 11/17/2007