LA VERNE- The University of La Verne men's and women's swimming and diving squads battled Concordia University in the first home meet of the season at La Verne Aquatic Center Saturday afternoon.
The Leo women fell to Concordia 106 to 169 and the men dropped the dual meet 105 to 171. Concordia holds the top spot in the men's NAIA national rankings and check in at third in the women's poll.
Despite the team loss the Leopards won 11 events. Senior diver Jacob Tittl won one-meter diving with a score of 235.75 and sophomore Scott McKay won three-meter diving with a score of 230.25. Junior captain Maddie Lovrensky won both the 100 and 200 backstroke (1:01.26, 2:12.22) and she also won the 200 individual medley in a time of 2:16.50 for an unblemished day. In addition, senior captain Marc Okimura won the 100 breaststroke in 58.60 in his first meet of the season after his recovery from a broken hand.
A trio of rookies made their mark for the women's squad. Junior transfer Melissa Pryor wont the 200 freestyle in a season best 2:01.81 and anchored the winning 400 freestyle relay with junior Melanie Consiglio, senior Sammi Shiomoto, and freshman Jessica Watkins (3:53.91). Junior transfer Melanie Consiglio won the 100 freestyle (57.21) and junior transfer Jackie Rojas (2:39.44) touched out freshman Krisyln Cha (2:41.33) for a strong 1-2 finish in the women's 200 breaststroke. On the men's side senior Coleman Goode took the 200 individual medley (2:01.79)
Both squads will return to actions next Saturday at the Redlands Bulldog Pentathlon.