Feb. 23, 2003

Results

Baltimore, MD - The Marist College men's swimming and diving team won its eight straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title this evening, completing the three-day competition with 961.50 points. Rider placed second in the three-day competition, with 798.50 points, followed by Loyola (552), Fairfield (355), Niagara (353), Iona (323) and Saint Peter's (92).

The final day of competition was highlighted by individual victories from Ricky Kapusta, Michael Guman and a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Kapusta, who also captured the 50-yard freestyle title, finished first in a time of 46.47. Guman scored 254.65 points in the one-meter diving final to capture the top prize in that event. Trailing on the final dive, Guman scored 8 and 8.5's on his inward one-and-a-half-pike, to overtake the Diver of the Meet, Rob Baier.

Sophomore Matt Castillo set a new school record in the 200-yard butterfly, finishing second in a time of 1:52.58. Four Red Foxes placed in the top eight in the butterfly event, as well as four placing in the top eight in the 200-yard backstroke final. Castillo, Kapusta, Ray Ferranti and Jeff Paul combined to capture the 400-yard freestyle relay, in a time of 3:05.76.

The Marist men have won 10 conference titles in the 24 years of the programs existence. Marist captured the 1990 Metropolitan Collegiate Conference Championship (MCSC), and captured the 1995 title as well. Marist joined the MAAC for the 1996 championship and has won each of the eight championship meets they have participated in. The eight MAAC titles are also the most for any single program in history of the conference, surpassing the seven titles of LaSalle University.

Marist will conclude its 2002-03 season next weekend, February 28 - March 2nd at the ECAC Championship hosted by the University of Pittsburgh. The Red Foxes, who placed second at the 2002 ECAC Championship, will have 17 swimmers and divers competing at the championship.