FIGHTING TIGER SWIMMERS MAKE SPLASH AT DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS

The SUNY Cobleskill swimming & diving program made an impressive showing at the 2006 Northeastern District Championships hosted by Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY over the weekend. The Fighting Tiger men posted a team score of 151 points to place sixth in the eleven team field while the Cobleskill women scored 47 points to place ninth in the event’s twelve team field.

Freshman Gabrielle Asay, Greenfield Center, NY, was the highlight of the meet for the Fighting Tigers capturing a pair of Northeastern District Women’s Championships in the 400 Yard Individual Medley, 5:13.77, and the 200 Yard Butterfly, 2:29.83. Asay also placed third in the meet in the 200 Yard Individual Medley in a time of 2:28.31.

The Fighting Tiger men received strong performances individually from senior Danny Porras, Great Neck, NY, Great Neck North High School, who placed third in the 100 Yard Backstroke, 1:02.60, seventh in the 100 Yard Freestyle, 54.65 seconds, and eighth in the 50 Yard Freestyle, 24.86 seconds, and from senior Kiel Wilcox, Cobleskill, NY, Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, who finished seventh in the 100 Yard Breaststroke, 1:13.54, and seventh in the 200 Yard Breaststroke, 2:41.59. Freshman Mike Sidoti, Pine Island, NY, Warwick Valley High School, also had a strong showing for Cobleskill placing sixth in the 200 Yard Individual Medley, 2:56.29, and eighth in the 100 Yard Backstroke, 1:11.47, while senior diver Sam Deboer, West Winfield, NY, Mount Markham High School, established a new program record on the One Meter Board scoring 355.25 points in the competition.

The Cobleskill men were also a factor in the relay events as: the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay of senior Brian Fox, Ballston Lake, NY, Shenendehowa High School, Kiel Wilcox, Sam Deboer and Danny Porras placed sixth with a time of 1:45.29, the 400 Yard Medley Relay of Mike Sidoti, Brian Fox, Kiel Wilcox and Danny Porras finished fourth in a time of 4:32.75, the 200 Yard Medley Relay of Mike Sidoti, Kiel Wilcox, Danny Porras and Sam Deboer placed fourth with a time of 1:59.41 and the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay of freshman Willie Cool, Canajoharie, NY, Mike Sidoti, Sam Deboer and Danny Porras placed fifth in 4:32.75.

The Fighting Tigers will next compete at the 2006 NJCAA Swimming & Diving National Championships hosted by Palo Alto College of San Antonio, TX from Wednesday March 1st through Saturday March 4th.