Nov. 11, 2011

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland swimming and diving team returns home for an intrastate meet against UMBC Saturday at 1 p.m. at Eppley Recreation Natatorium.

The Maryland women (2-1, 2-1 ACC) were recently ranked No. 19 in the latest CSCAA Women's Division I Top 25 poll. After upending both NC State and Duke to start the year, the Terps suffered a minor setback at North Carolina their last time out.

The Terps are led by Megan Lafferty (50 free, 100 fly), Jennifer Roberts (200 and 400 IM), Ginny Glover (200 back, 200 free), Kacie Ciampoli, (1000 and 1650 free) and Alisa Kurbatova (1- and 3-meter dive), who boast multiple top times for Maryland this season.

The men's squad (0-3, 0-3 ACC) is seeking its first win of the year after falling to a tough UNC squad last weekend.

Maryland's youth has been its strength this season, as displayed against the Tar Heels. Sophomore John Hauser and freshman David Speese led the Terps in Chapel Hill. Hauser won the 100 free (45.60) and took second and third in the 50 free (21.16) and 200 free (1:41.03), respectively while Speese swept the breaststroke events, capturing the 100 (57.73) and 200 (2:05.90).

Scouting UMBC:
• UMBC heads into Saturday's meet 2-1 overall. Most recently, the Retriever men's and women's team swept both George Washington and Towson at the UMBC Natatorium October 29, combining to win 24 of 28 total events.

• Last year, the men's team won its eighth straight America East crown, while the women won its third conference crown since joining the AEC in 2003.

• Seniors John Mendenhall and Ben Wolbert along with junior Andrew Eckhoff lead the men's team. Both Mendenhall and Wolbert won individual events in their last meet against George Washington, in addition to being part of the top 200 medley relay team. In the same meet, Eckhoff swept the men's boards against Towson, besting the school 3-meter record (354.30).

• The women's team is led by seniors Abbey McKenney, Ashley Miller and Laura Tilman. McKenney was named Most Outstanding Female Swimmer at the America East Championships last season. She was also an America East Swimmer of the Week recipient last month.

• Overall the men's and women's teams have picked up a total of seven America East Swimmer or Diver of the Week awards through the season's first four weeks.

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