The UMBC swimming and diving team opened its season Saturday against Bucknell in a non-scoring meet, winning 34 of the 40 events competed at the UMBC Natatorium.
Senior Justin Bronson (Oshawa, Ontario, Canada/Msgr. Paul Dwyer) placed first in the 500 free and 1,000 free events, along with his 200 free heat, while junior transfer Sam Maccherola (Woolford, Md./South Carroll/Tennessee) achieved the same feat on the women's side.
Freshman Eric Jones (Gambrills, Md./Arundel) finished first in the 50 free, 100 free and his 200 free heat, while senior Daniele Surkovich (Ellicott City, Md./Wilde Lake) won the 100 free and her 200 free heat.
In the breaststroke, freshman John Mendenhall (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) won the 100 and 200, while sophomore Phillip Novotny (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Warde) took the 50. On the women's side, junior captainTereza Kaplanova (Prague, Czech Republic/Gymnazium J.G. Jankovskeho) swept the 50, 100 and 200 events.
Junior Lindsay Sherman (Bethany, Conn./Amity) swept all three fly events, while on the men's side, senior captain P.J. Sterba (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) finished first in the 50 and 200, and freshman Ben Wolbert(Finksburg, Md./Westminster) won the 100.
In the back, freshman Laura Tilman (Miami Springs, Fla./Ransom Everglades) took the 200 and finished second in the 50 and 100. Senior Milos Djukic (Novi Sad, Serbia & Montenegro/Svetozar Markovic) won the 50 and 100, while freshman Nour Saad (Columbia, Md./Oakland Mills) finished second in the 200.
UMBC swept all four relay events, including both 400 medley relays and both 400 freestyle relays.
The Retrievers return to action Saturday, Oct. 11 when they travel to N.C. State for their first scored meet of the season. The meet also includes Miami's women's team.
