NEW ORLEANS -- The University of New Orleans swimming and diving program had some strong moments despite suffering a pair of losses to LSU in a dual meet on Friday at the Lakefront Aquatic Center.
The LSU men's team defeated UNO 204-94, while the women's squad topped the Privateers 190-84. Highlighting the UNO night was an impressive 200 breaststroke win from
Ben Solari, who had a season-best 2:06.75.
The evening also saw the first diving competition at UNO since the pool was reopened this past summer. LSU's Elle Schmidt swept the diving events on the women's side, taking the 1-meter (244.20) and 3-meter (276.30), while the Tigers' Matt Vieke (312.23) and Brian Gemberling (357.94) took the men's 1-meter and 3-meter respectively.
UNO's
Johnny DeMaine claimed fourth in the 1-meter (281.40, a UNO best) and second in the 3-meter (288.90).
Overall, UNO set 12 season marks, including four on the women's side.
Catalina Mendieta had top marks in the 50 free (24.31) and 100 fly (59.41), while
Haydn Maclean set a new high in the 500 free (5:07.27), and
Melissa Oishi in the 200 breast (2:25.78).
The Privateer men had eight new highs, including three from
Phillip Graeter (200 back, 1:52.35; 200 fly, 1:54.16 and 200 IM, 1:54.89), two from both DeMaine and Solari (200 breast and a 58.18 in the 100 breast) and
Jarryd Gregoire (21.25) in the 50 free.
The UNO relays also set some new marks, with Mendieta,
Eva Hannesdottir, Maclean and
Tess Sweatman setting a pool record in the 200 free relay (1:37.21. The men's 200 medley relay quartet of
Niklas Kunst,
Mark Schindler,
Kevin Tinney and Gregoire finished at 1:34.80.
The teams will return to the pool on Dec. 4 and 5 at home against Western Kentucky. The women's team will also compete with Tulane.
