Oct. 30, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Maryland swimming and diving program is set for its first big test of the 2008-09 campaign when it travels to NC State and Duke on Friday and Saturday for an ACC dual meet.

The Terps started off with a pair of wins last weekend against Johns Hopkins. The women defeated the Blue Jays, 185-95, courtesy of some fantastic finishes by the Terrapin freshman class. Rookies Alexa Hamilton, Martha VanLieshout and Alisa Kurbatova all captured individual events for Maryland in their first collegiate meet. Senior Yelena Skalinskaya won both the 50 and 100 free while juniors Patty DeScenza and Laura Wright won the 200 fly and 200 free, respectively. Sophomore Annie Fittin picked up where she left off as a freshman, winning the 100 backstroke.

On the women's side, NC State is 3-1 (1-1 ACC) after splitting a meet in Blacksburg, Va., last weekend against Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Duke is 3-0 (1-0 ACC).

The men coasted past Johns Hopkins, 167-105, and were led by Chris Rouchard, John Closs, Sean Stewart and Eric Cullen. Rouchard took first in the 500 and 1000 free, Closs captured the 50 free and Stewart, a freshman, won the 200 fly. Cullen picked up a pair of first-place finishes in the 100 and 200 breast.

The NC State men's squad heads into the weekend with a 2-1 (0-1 ACC) record after splitting a meet against West Virginia and Virginia Tech last weekend. Duke is 1-0, having topped UNC Wilmington.

Friday's meet at NC State is set to begin at 6 p.m. while Saturday's version at Duke will start at 1 p.m. Admission is free.