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News Release

UMBC Men’s Swimming and Diving Unanimously Picked to Win Fourth Straight America East Championship; Retriever Women Tied With New Hampshire Atop Preseason Poll

10/23/2006

Freddie Reitz is UMBC's fourth-leading returning scorer from the 2006 America East Championships.

Meghan Sackett won three gold medals at the 2006 America East Championships.

Boston-The UMBC men’s swimming and diving team was a unanimous selection to repeat as America East Conference champion in a vote of the league coaches, the conference announced Friday. The Retriever women were tied with two-time defending America East titlist New Hampshire atop the preseason poll.

The Retriever men received all four first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own teams) for a total of 16 points. UMBC will go for its fourth straight America East title and 10th consecutive conference championship overall.

The Retrievers will be led by a deep sophomore class, which includes Justin Bronson, last season’s 500-free gold medalist and 100- and 200-free silver medalist and Evan Roseberry, who took two silvers and a bronze at the 2006 America East Championships. In addition, senior Ryan Karrer returns after winning the mile by shattering both the meet and conference records. Other top returners include sophomore Freddie Reitz, junior Scott Auchter and seniors Tim Conway and Juan Ortiz, in addition to senior diver Jeff Salgado.

Stony Brook received one first-place vote and finished second behind UMBC with 11 points, followed by Boston U. (10), Binghamton (9) and Maine (4).

The Retriever women received three first-place votes and tied with the Wildcats, who also received three first-place nods, with 33 points apiece. UMBC finished second to UNH at the 2006 America East Championships, just 54 points behind the eventual winners.

The Retrievers will be led by junior Meghan Sackett, who won three gold medals last season and broke four individual school records. Sophomore Daniele Surkovich and senior Ashley Houghton are the reigning America East Most Outstanding Rookie and Diver, respectively, while sophomore Tina Cantwell was UMBC’s third-leading scorer at the conference meet. In addition, versatile senior Agnes Stanislawska holds two school records. UMBC also brought in a very strong freshman class.

Boston University received the final first-place vote and finished third in the poll with 27 points, followed by Maine (21), Stony Brook (14), Vermont (11) and Binghamton (8).

The Retrievers got off to a solid start on Saturday, Oct. 21, as both teams defeated Rider in the season-opening dual meet.

The America East Championships are Feb. 8-11 at Boston University’s Aquatic Center.

2006 America East Preseason Coaches Poll (Men)

2006 Ameica East Preseason Coaches Poll (Women)