Results

Purchase, NY (Nov. 4, 2011) – A big crowd of supporters lined the stands to welcome the Purchase College men's and women's swim teams home Friday night.

And there applause and praise did not go unnoticed as the Panthers dominated the College of Mt. St. Vincent on both ends, toppling the Dolphins in their home and Skyline Conference openers. Purchase, which dropped both of its first two meets on the road, returned home and locked up a 97-74 win on the women's side and a 99-72 victory on the men's side.

The women grabbed a quick 15-2 lead by taking the 200-yard medley relay. The foursome of Alexandria Bodick (FR/New Canaan, CT), Bianca Covello (FR/Woodstock, NY), Kamara Lewis (SO/Jamaica, NY) and Christina Muller* (SR/Poughkeepsie, NY) took first (2:10.07).

The men were equally impressive in the 200 MR thanks to August Cook (JR/Syracuse, NY), Adam Alkilany (SO/Brooklyn, NY), Seth Feingersh (SR/Bayside, NY) and Mike Zeffiro (SR/Brant, NY).
 
The Panther lineup was laden with stars on this night. Purchase received contributions throughout. Allison Panzironi (FR/Pine Island, NY) won the 200 free (2:26.19); Covello championed the field in the 50 free (28.59); Zeffiro garnered a first-place finish in the 50 free (26.20); Bodick added a win in the 200 IM (2:36.67); Muller bested the competition in the 100 free (1:03.52) and Alkilany gave the Panthers a comfortable lead with a victory in the 100 free (1:00.03).

The strong start would eventually lead to exhibition down the stretch. The Panthers once again look like a team to be reckoned with in conference.

Lewis, a standout sophomore returner, produced a sharp 1:17.12 time in the 100 back for a first-place finish, while newcomer Samir Mekrami (SO/Brooklyn, NY) out swam his two competitors in the 100 back for a first-place finish of his own.

Not to be outdone, the Panthers collected several second-place finishes, highlighted by Patricia Fazzino (JR/Bayport, NY) and her performance in the 500 free (7:07.12).

On the men's side, Joshua Nielson (SR/Saratoga Springs, NY) set the tone early following the 200 MR by winning the 1,000-yard freestyle (12:26.33).

“Everyone did a spectacular job,” said head coach Peter Nestel. “I'm very proud of their performance. Things are shaping up nicely.”

Purchase will look to build off tonight's resounding wins when the Panthers face top rival Mount Saint Mary next week on the road. The two Skyline titans will clash on Nov. 8.