Swimming & Diving Splits Season Opener at Virginia Tech

Oct. 7, 2005

The Clemson Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Teams earned a split decision in their first meet of the year in Blacksburg on Friday. The men’s team, led by triple winner Attila Ruszka beat Virginia Tech by a score of 139.5-101.5. The women, however, lost the meet by a score of 135-108.

The win over Virginia Tech by the men starts their season off at 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the ACC. The Tigers pounced on the Hokies by sweeping them in the 1000 free and the 200 breast. Individually, Attila Ruszka won the 200 IM (1:52.28), the 200 breast (2:06.94), and was a member of the winning 400 medley relay (3:25.84). Sean Geary won the 1000 free (9:33.96), followed by Jon Mengering and Brett MacLennan. MacLennan also won the 500 free. Sophomore Mark Vahle took home the win in the 50 free (20.47) The Tigers won seven events overall and tied for first in another.

For the women, the loss drops them to 0-1 overall (0-1 ACC). The Lady Tigers were led by Kim Routh who took wins in the 1000 free (10:12.95), 200 free (1:51.60) and 500 free (4:55.58). Peg Carter and Toni Kroll swam their way to the top two spots in the 200 fly with times of 2:07.27 and 2:07.89, respectively. Freshman Michelle Parkhurst won the 200 back (2:02.20) in the first dual meet of her career. Both the men’s and women’s teams will be in action next Saturday as the Tigers will hold their annual Orange and White inter squad meet. The meet will be held at McHugh Natatorium at 9:00 am.