October 28, 2005

Bloomsburg University Men's Swimming Downs Lycoming

BLOOMSBURG —The Bloomsburg University men's swim team won their first dual meet of the season defeating Lycoming University 121-84.

It was a team effort on Wednesday night as nine different swimmers finished in the top three for the Huskies. Jason Christanthon (Springfield/Springfield) took two first in the 100 breast in 1:05.08 and in the 200 Individual Medley (IM) with a time of 2:08.60. Steve Withers (Chalfont/Chalfont) also had two first place finishes. Withers finished first in the 1000 free in 10:48.13 and swam the 500 free in 5:09.79.

Travis Backenstoe (Walnutport/ Northampton) placed first in the 50 free in 22.12 and teammate Chris Rumfelt (Shamokin/ Shamokin) finished second in 22.56. Rumfelt also took first place in the 100 free with a time of 48.71.

Other top three finishers were Ken Smith (Philadelphia/ Archbishop Ryan) who placed second in the 500 free in 5:17.37 and third in the 200 free in 1:57.12 just behind Josh Chandler (Mount Joy/ Donegall) who placed second in 1:55.44. Chandler also took third in the 500 free in 5:23. 39. Mark Freeman (Bethlehem/ Perkiomen Valley), placed second in the 100 back in 59.98 and third in the 200 IM in 2:13.31. Also Jim Toolan (Norristown/ La Salle) took second in the 1000 free in 11:05.08. In the 100 butterfly Mike Williams (Lower Moreland), finished second for the Huskies in 58.17.

In relay action the team of Freeman, Chrisanthon, Bret Palmer (Marysville/ Susquenita) and Backenstoe placed first in the 200 Medley in 1:44.07. In the 200 free relay Palmer, Travis Wagner (Mechanicsburg/Mechanicsburg), Rumfelt and Backenstoe placed first as well in 1:30.93

The men's team will compete in the Westminster Relay Invitational tonight at 6 p.m.