Oct. 13, 2000

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Today's Match-up: The Stony Brook women's swimming and diving team opens its season today against Sacred Heart at 1 p.m. It is the first dual match of the 2000-01 season for both teams.

Last Season's Meeting: The Pioneers served as the home opener in 1999 as well, with Stony Brook winning the dual meet 136-92. The Seawolves swept the 400 freestyle, as Theresa Dondiego finished first, followed by Patty Prehm. USB also swept the 800 free, with Dondiego winning again, followed by Sarah Doret and Liz Dannebaum. Kris Yturraspe won both the 100 free and 100 breastroke, and Sue Slepetz finished second in both events. Diver Kristi Schubert won on both the one- and three-meter boards.

Season Outlook: "Our women's lineup is not going to be easy to recognize with new names in almost every event," Coach Dave Alexander said. "Diving and distance have gotten stronger, but fly and back are huge question marks. This is still a work in progress and matching our first year at Division I will be a testament to the team's hard work. We will have to win through a total team effort."

What's Up Next: Both the men and women travel to West Point for the Seawolves' next dual meet on Oct. 24, the season opener for the men's team. The Stony Brook men then return home to face Boston College on Oct. 28. Both teams travel to face St. Peter's on Nov. 4. The women then compete at home against Wagner on Nov. 8, and both teams host Fordham on Nov. 15. In all, the Seawolves host eight dual meets, twice as many as last year.

Breaking Records: The Seawolves hope to continue last year's trends of breaking school records. In 1999-2000, the Seawolves set four new school records--the men's 400 medley relay and 200 breast, and the women's 200 free relay and 800 free relay. Stony Brook also qualified nine athletes for the ECAC Championships, the highest total ever for the Seawolves. Just the previous year, USB had only two ECAC qualifiers.