Nov. 15, 2007

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland men's swimming and diving program completed its first day at the Terrapin Cup Invitational in third place with a combined total of 218 points.

"Tonight we came out with excitement, intensity and focus," said Interim Head Coach Jarod Schroeder. "We were elated."

Maryland began the day swimming the 200-yard freestyle relay. Juniors Andy Dilz, John Closs, Dong Kim, and freshman Nick Cordes finished first with a time of 1:21.96 and earned 40 points for the Terrapins in the A-final. Senior Jake DiPiazza, sophomores Kevin Reardon and Ryan Greene, and freshman Matt Gruszecki finished ninth with a time of 1:26.15. They added 18 points for the Terps, placing them in the first position with 58 points.

In the 500-yard freestyle, sophomore Chris Rouchard grabbed six points for the Terrapins, swimming a 4:38.18 in the B-final. Freshman Kirk Jackson finished a slot behind Rouchard in 12th with a time of 4:41.09, adding five points for the Terps.

With the Terps having a now combined total of 69 points, they were third behind West Chester University and UConn going into the 200-yard individual medley. Junior Andy Dilz (1:52.35) finished first in the A-final to earn 20 points for the Terps. Junior Eric Cullen (1:53.63) and freshman Mitch Challacombe (1:53.72) grabbed the first and second spots in the B-final for the Terps, with freshman Chris Bagley (1:57.93) finishing 13th.

The Terps took the two top spots in the 50-yard freestyle. Kim finished with a time of 20.62 to take the top spot, with freshman Nick Cordes finishing closely behind to take the second slot. Closs (21.85) finished 15th, adding two points to give the Terps a combined 148 points in third place.

Kim, Cullen, sophomore Aleksandar Damjanic and Dilz finished first for the Terps in the 400-yard medley relay with a time of 3:21.90. Sanford, Closs and senior captains Eric Thomasson and Ken Golaszewski finished 10th for the Terps with a time of 3:29.23.

In diving, senior Derek Hock finished third for the Terps with a total of 16 points. Hock scored 254.95 in six dives.

"This is the type of swimming we need to have tomorrow and Saturday," commented Schroeder. "We need to continue this type of swimming on until the ACC tournament."

Action will resume tomorrow at 6 p.m. in Eppley's Natatorium.