Bronson Breaks 500 Free School Record in First Day of Patriot Invitational

FAIRFAX, Va.-- The UMBC men's and women's swimming and diving teams won six events Friday night in the first day of the George Mason Patriot Invitational. The men lead the competition with 314, 113 points more than second place, UNC-Wilmington. The women are second after one day, trailing first-place 258-246.

Senior Justin Bronson led the Retrievers, winning the 500 free in a UMBC record time of 4:26.06. Sophomore Eric Jones won the 50 free in 21.04 while the 200 freestyle relay team of Jones, sophomore Keilan Freeman, junior Zach Vonder Haar and freshman Jason Mattingly placed first in a time of 1:23.28.

On the women's side, senior Daniele Surkovich won the 500 free in 5:00.47 and junior Tereza Kaplanova touched first in the 200 IM in 2:06.33. The 200 freestyle team of junior Sam Maccherola, freshman Abbey McKenney, senior Christina Ng and freshman Ashley Miller won in a time of 1:37.28.

The Retrievers return for another prelim session at the Patriot Invitational Saturday at 10 a.m.

       Team Rankings - Through Friday Night

                   Women - Team Scores
Place School                                          Points
1        GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY    258
2        UMBC SWIMMING & DIVING         246
3        UNC-WILMINGTON                       243
4        SETON HALL UNIVERSITY           129
5        GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY       103
6        SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY      93
7        AMERICAN UNIVERSITY               91
8        GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIV.     69

                    Men - Team Scores
Place School                                          Points

1        UMBC SWIMMING & DIVING         314
2        UNC-WILMINGTON                       201
3        SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY      132
4        SETON HALL UNIVERSITY            117
5        GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY     106
6        GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY         87
7        GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIV.      80
8        AMERICAN UNIVERSITY                35