JERSEY CITY, NJ– The Saint Peter's swimming and diving programs return to action with back-to-back MAAC clashes, opening at home against Manhattan on Tuesday before traveling to New Rochelle, N.Y., to face Iona on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Tuesday evening's home meet will take place at the Eugene and Teresa Imperatore Swimming and Diving Center inside the Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center, with the first splash set for 5:00 p.m. Saturday's dual meet is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. at Hynes Pool.
The women's team is coming off its season opener at Duquesne, where multiple athletes secured podium finishes throughout the meet.
Paige Austin-Burrows led the Peacocks with four podium finishes, highlighted by a win in the 200-yard IM (2:17.46) and anchoring the 200-yard freestyle relay to first place in 1:44.31. In her collegiate debut, freshman
Chris Carolin Weiss captured a third-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke, touching the wall in 1:02.99.
After a short break, the men's squad is ready to hit the blocks for the first time this month. In their last outing,
Juan Nunez led the way across five events with a second-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle (4:45.96). Freshman
Patch Robinson also impressed in his collegiate debut, competing in five events, placing fifth in a 17-swimmer field in the 500-yard freestyle (4:49.61).
ABOUT THE JASPERS
Manhattan has competed in two meets this season, placing fourth at the Fairfield Invitational and falling to Fordham. The Jaspers have had about a month off since their last competition.
At the Fairfield Invitational, the women's side was led by Jaila Williamson, who logged a fourth-place finish in the Women's 50 SC Meter Freestyle with a final time of 28.20. The men's team had multiple top ten finishes, including a seventh-place finish from the 200 SC Meter Medley Relay squad (1:58.88).
At Fordham, the Jaspers notched several podium finishes, paced by Sophia Leber's first-place finish in the Women's 50-yard Butterfly (30.34). On the men's side, junior Gavin Harding led the team with fourth and fifth-place finishes in the 100-yard Butterfly (55.62) and 200-yard Freestyle (1:54.52).
The head coach of Manhattan is Brian Hansbury, and he is assisted by Joe Brennan.
ABOUT THE GAELS
Iona's women's team enters the weekend at 6-1 overall and 3-0 in MAAC play, currently riding a two-meet win streak over Providence and Monmouth. In their most recent outing, the Gaels tallied seven first-place finishes, including wins in the 200-yard Medley Relay, 50-yard Freestyle, 100-yard Butterfly, 100-yard Backstroke, 200-yard Backstroke, 100-yard Freestyle, and 1,000-yard Freestyle.
The men's squad stands at 3-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play after finishing October with a 3-2 record. In their last meet, Iona fell 175-87 to Monmouth but was led by Nick Patino's top finish in the 50-yard Freestyle (21.80) and a second-place finish from sophomore Max Buchen in the 100-yard Breaststroke (56.93).
Head coach Nick Cavataro enters his 42nd season with the men's program and 36th with the women's team.
ALL TIME RECORDS
Saint Peter's is 7-6 all-time against Manhattan on the women's side. The Jaspers have won two of the last three meetings (136-98, 148-50, and 147-52), while the Peacocks captured last season's victory behind Austin-Burrows' wins in the 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard backstroke.
On the men's side, Saint Peter's holds a 9-4 advantage. The Peacocks have won two of the last three meetings (169-65, 177-69, and 56-112), highlighted by
Victor Fuentes leading the charge with two relay victories and a first-place finish in the 100-yard Breaststroke.
Against Iona, the women's team is 1-15, while the men's team sits at 7-9 all-time. The Peacocks' most recent win came in a double sweep on Senior Day during the 2013-14 season.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
