Jan. 30, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland swimming and diving team hits the road this weekend for a meet against Big East competitor West Virginia Saturday at 1 p.m. in Morgantown.

The women's squad is fresh off a sweep last weekend in which the team defeated Richmond and Miami at home. The pair of victories push Maryland's team total to nine this season. The Terps benefited from solid performances from freshmen Ginny Glover, Meggie Schmidt and Alisa Kurbatova. Glover captured the 200 free (1:50.29) and the 500 free (4:55.62) while Schimdt picked up a lifetime best in the 200 fly (2:03.35) en route to a second-place finish. Kurbatova picked up another sweep on the boards, winning both the 1-meter (287.18) and 3-meter (294.30) diving events. The Terps were also paced by the senior leadership of Skalinskaya, who tallied wins in the 50 free (23.53) and 100 free (51.32). Maryland swept the 200 fly, via the finishes of Schimidt and Jen Vogel (first place/2:01.21) and Patti DeScenza (third place/2:05.38).

The Maryland men have been idle and roll into the weekend with a 5-5 record, having split with Pittsburgh and Penn State in their last outing Jan. 16-17. The men are paced by a versatile Andy Dilz, who boasts top three times for Maryland in the 50 free (20.37), 100 free (45.63), 100 breast (56.47), 200 breast (2:03.50) and is on four out of the five top relays. Freshman Andrew Relihan has been dominant in the IM, registering top times in the 200 (1:52.26) and 400 (4:01.52) in addition to landing the best time in the 200 back (1:49.41). Senior Eric Cullen continues his work in the breaststroke, earning top marks in the 100 (56.19) and 200 (2:03.23).

West Virginia boasts a tough slate and heads into Saturday's dual meet with a 3-9 record on the men's side and a 3-10 mark on the women's. The men were upended at the Shamrock Invite by Notre Dame, Michigan State and Denver in their last outing. The 200 medley relay team of Michael Walker, Pablo Marmolejo, Payton Brooks and George Farguhar took first (1:32.64) to lead the Mountaineers. Marmolejo also won the 200 fly while Walker took fourth in the 400 IM. On the women's side, Kayla Andrews won the 100 free and has already registered a NCAA B-cut in the event. Andrews also took third in the 100 fly. The women were also swept by Notre Dame, Michigan State and Denver. Saturday is Senior Day for the Mountaineers.

Maryland will host its own Senior Day next weekend when Georgetown heads to Eppley Recreation Natatorium Saturday at 1 p.m. The men will face Virginia Tech Friday at 5:30 p.m. prior to Saturday's festivities.