ROCHESTER, NY - The Alfred University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams competed this weekend at the Don Richards Invitational, hosted by RIT. The AU men finished in third place of six teams competing and the AU women were fifth of six.

The Alfred men finished with 617 points, behind first-place Ithaca (933) and second-place Hartwick (892). The AU women had 358 points; first-place Ithaca finished with 984 and second-place Nazareth had 859.

Junior Warren Dolben (Rye, NH/Berwick Academy) was the only event winner for the AU men in three days of competition, taking first in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.96). He also took fourth in the 200-yard breast (2:21.25).

Other top performers for the Alfred men were: senior Matt Lobban (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon), fifth in the 1,650-yard free (17:37.79) and 500 free (4:59.11) and fourth in the 200-yard backstroke (2:03.49); sophomore Nate Chapman (Hornell, NY/Hornell), fourth in the 500-yard free (4:58.76), seventh in the 1,650-yard free (17:46.18) and 10th in the 200 free (1:50.48); freshman Kyle Kraeger (Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta), eighth in the 200-yard back (2:05.51) and fourth in the 100 back (55.44); freshman Pete Sowinski (Akron, NY/Akron), fourth in the 100-yard free (48.43), seventh in the 50 free (22.01) and eighth in the 200 free (1:49.84); senior Tyler Olsen (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga), third in the 50-yard freestyle (21.72), sixth in the 100 free (48.81) and second in the 200 free (1:46.59); senior Zach Mix (Mt. Morris, NY/Mt. Morris), second in the 200-yard butterfly (2:00.29) and third in the 100 fly (53.24); sophomore Brett Irwin (Springwater, NY/Wayland-Cohocton), ninth in the 200 fly (2:08.31) and fourth in the 100 fly (53.33); senior Dan Steere (Hornell, NY/Alfred-Almond), eighth in the 50 free (22.04); freshman Zach Kranefeld (Millville, NJ/Millville), 10th in 3-meter diving (203.95); junior Richard Guarniero (New York Mills, NY/Thomas R. Proctor), seventh in the 100 back (57.44); and junior Jeff Swartout (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley), ninth in the 400-yard individual medley (4:42.45).

The team of Guarniero, Dolben, Mix and Sowinski took fourth in the 200 medley relay (1:38.91); Lobban, Mix, Chapman and Olsen were third in the 800 freestyle relay (7:22.26); Steere, Chapman, Sowinski and Olsen were fourth in the 200 free relay (1:27.50); Kraeger, Dolben, Mix and Olsen were fourth in the 400 medley relay (3:40.46); and Chapman, Steere, Sowinski and Olsen were third in the 400 free relay (3:13.83).

Senior Sarah Blair (Auburn, NY/Auburn) led the AU women’s team, taking third in the 50-yard free (24.74), fifth in the 100 free (54.98) and third in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:09.90). Sophomore Kylie Smith (Abington, PA/Abington) was sixth in 1-meter diving (317.50) and 3-meter diving (285.50).

Other top swimmers for the Saxon women were: senior Calista Merritt (Conesus, NY/Livonia), ninth in the 1,650-yard free (19:59.88); sophomore Eryn Matich (Johnson City, NY/Johnson City), 10th in the 200-yard butterfly (2:28.97); freshman Heather Remchuk (Hornell, NY/Hornell), seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:12.96) and 10th in the 200-yard breast (2:43.28); and freshman Paige Citarella (West Islip, NY/West Islip), 10th in the 100-yard backstroke (1:05.17) and 400-yard IM (5:16.92).

The team of Citarella, Remchuk, Matich and Blair placed sixth in the 200 medley relay (1:56.35); Citarella, sophomore Eda Pellumbi (Windham, ME/Cheverus), Merritt and freshman Rachel Garramone (Evanston, IL/Chicago Waldorf) were sixth in the 800-yard free relay (8:54.49); Blair, sophomore Julie Dzikowski (Dansville, NY/Dansville), Garramone and Remchuk were fifth in the 200 free relay (1:46.06); Citarella, Matich, Remchuk and Blair were fifth in the 400 medley relay (4:23.01); and Remchuk, Garramone, Citarella and Blair were fifth in the 400 free relay (3:54.50).

The AU men’s and women’s teams are in action next on Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. for a dual meet at Utica College.