SOUTH ORANGE, N.J.The Seton Hall swimming and diving teams split its season opener against Villanova on Tuesday evening. The men’s team defeated the Wildcats 133-96, while the women’s team fell 164-74. Freshman Stan Sadovski (Brooklyn, N.Y.) paced the Pirates with two first place finishes in the 50 and 100 freestyles.
The men’s team dominated the meet, as the Pirates recorded nine first place finishes. Sophomore Matt Rienzo (Wallingford, Conn.), freshman Chris Kearney (Leawood, Kan.), senior Hidenaga Murakami (Los Angeles, Calif.), freshman Jason Benson (Overland Park, Kan.), sophomore Chris Prus (Southington, Conn.) and freshman Tyler Flint (Pine Bush, N.Y.) all recorded first place victories. Rienzo placed first in the 1000 freestyle and also tallied a second place finish in the 500 freestyle. Kearney notched a victory in the 100 backstroke. Murakami was a member of the winning 200 medley relay, won the 100 butterfly, and placed second in the 200 individual medley for the Pirates. In the 200 individual medley, Prus earned the victory in a time of 2:00.64. Flint was impressive in the diving competition for the Pirates, as he won the 1 meter dive with a score of 261.80 and was second in the 3 meter dive with a score of 208.65.
The women’s team was led by the finish of freshman Olivia Jackson (Wescosville, Pa.) in the 100 freestyle. Jackson timed 54.48 for a second place finish. Fellow freshman Natalie Toczlowski (Sandwich, Mass.) did well in the 500 freestyle, where she placed third with a time of 5:13.84. Senior Laura Dubendorfer (Corning, N.Y.) earned two third place finishes in the diving competition.
The Pirates will travel to Rutgers on Friday, Oct. 27. The teams will also face Rider. The meet is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m.
