Oct. 23, 2009

Complete Results

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Freshman Lauren Hines won two individual events as the Richmond women's swimming & diving team opened its 2009-10 season Friday evening at La Salle. The Spiders downed their A-10 foe Explorers, 180-99, but fell to Villanova, 186-101.

In her first collegiate meet, Hines picked up victories in the 100 back and 200 back, finished second in the 50 free and was also on the second-place 400 free relay. The Roanoke, Va. native crushed the field by three second in the 100 back in a time of 57.57.

Hines was clocked at 2:05.37 in winning the 200 back and 24.62 in the 50 free.

Sophomore Jill Smaniotto captured the 100 fly in a time of 59.01 and was third in the 100 back in 1:00.25, while sophomore Mary Anne Lerro took the 100 breast in 1:06.66 and was part of the winning 200 medley relay in 1:47.72.

"Mary Anne and Jill grew up over the off-season," said fifth-year head coach Matt Barany. "They brought confidence into their races tonight."

Richmond swept the top-three spots in the 200 back, with Hines leading the way followed by junior Nicole LePere (2:06.68) and senior Alex Helland (2:09.42).

Helland and LePere joined Lerro and senior Katie Sieben on the winning 200 medley relay. The second-place 400 free relay (3:36.36) featured Hines, Helland, sophomore Michelle Johnson and sophomore Charlotte Brackett.

The Spiders return to action next Saturday with an 11 a.m. meet at N.C. State versus both the Wolfpack and Campbell University.