Women Top Shippensburg in Swimming, Men Fall

BLOOMSBURG—Bloomsburg University women's swim team defeated Shippensburg University, 117-88, Friday night, while the men fell to the Red Raiders, 109-90.

The women were led by Dianna Smith (West Grove/ Avon Grove) who earned two first-place finishes in the 200 free in 1:58.24 and the 100 free in 54.95. Ashley Kroh (Boyertown/Boyertown) placed first in the 1000 free with a time of 10:51.42. Also with first place finishes were Kari Pokrzywa (Fairless Hills/Pennsbury) and Ashley Yelinek (Youngwood/Southmoreland) in the 200 back and 500 free in times of 2:17.10 and 5:20.98, respectively. The team of Courtney Dean (Lancaster/Hempfield), Jackie Gribbin (Richboro/Council Rock North), Emily Varley (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) and Dianna Smith also placed first in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:43.00. With the win, the women improve to 5-0 on the season.

For the men, Travis Backenstoe (Walnutport/Northampton) led the way with a first-place finish in the 50 free with a time of 22.06. Chris Rumfelt (Shamokin/Shamokin) and Mark Freeman (Bethlehem/Freedom) also earned first-place finishes in the 100 free and the 200 back in times of 49.33 and 2:08.27, respectively. Rumfelt also placed second in the 200 free in 1:48.20. Brandon Palmer (Carlisle/Big Spring) also turned in a solid performance, scoring first-place points in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:25.96. With the loss, the men fall to 1-4 on the season.

The women are back in action tomorrow at East Stroudsburg before both teams host Kutztown next Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.