Dec. 4, 2008
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Monarch and Lady Monarch swimmers return to the pool taking on George Washington at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday utilizing Norfolk State's pool facilities as the Old Dominion pool remains closed with construction continuing on the new recreational facility on campus.
The Old Dominion men's swimming team has won its last 13 straight meets dating back to last season and enters Saturday's contest with the Colonials at 3-0 on the season with a pair of victories over William & Mary, as well as Drexel. The Monarchs also placed fourth at the Davidson Invitational two weeks ago.
Two new school records have been set this season by three-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Men's Swimmer of the Week Arni Arnason (Msfellsbaer, Iceland). A member of the 2008 Icelandic Olympic Team, Arnason has reset the school record and captured a NCAA "B" cut time in the 100 breast (54.57) and also reset the Monarch top time in the 200 breast (2:01.51). The first year Monarch also holds the second fastest 50 free time (20.63) in the Monarch record books.
Sophomore Joshua Kinas (Reston, Va.) has also placed his name among the top times in Monarch history with the 10th fastest performance on record in the 100 breast (58.56) earlier this season.
The Old Dominion women's swimming team holds a 2-3 record this season with victories over Drexel and Northeastern. The Lady Monarchs finished fourth the Davidson Invitational two weeks ago as well.
Freshman Erla Dogg Haraldsdottir (Njardvik, Iceland) has also claimed a new school record this year. A member of the 2008 Icelandic Olympic Team along with Arnason, Haraldsdottir has set new Lady Monarch benchmark in the 100 breast (1:03.24). She also swam her way the fifth best time in Lady Monarch history in the 200 IM (2:06.84).
Additionally, transfer Agata Nowak (Gorzow, Poland) cracked the top 10 times list in the 100 fly (57.98), while sophomore Lauren Fiskus (Yorktown, Va.) tied for eighth all-time in the 200 breast (2:26.10), and newcomer Maddie Stiles (Fairfax, Va.) collected the 10th all-time best Lady Monarch finish in the 400 IM (4:35:57).
Two relay squads on the women's side have also placed their names into the Lady Monarch record books this season as well. The 200 medley relay team of Haraldsdottir, Nowak, sophomore April Barrientos (Va. Beach, Va.) and freshman Jayme Weimer (Victoria, Canada) swam to the second best time on record (1:47.68), while the 400 medley relay squad of Barrientos, Haraldsdottir, and Nowak, along with freshman Emma Forbes (Peekskill, N.Y.) collected the third best time in ODU history (3:54.71).
Schedule of events is as follows:
200 medley relay
200 freestyle
50 backstroke
50 breaststroke
100 butterfly
50 freestyle
- 15min break-
100 freestyle
100 backstroke
100 breaststroke
500 freestyle
50 butterfly
-10 min break-
200 individual medley
400 freestyle relay
Directions to Norfolk State:
From 64 East
Merge onto VA-168 S via Exit 277A.
Turn Left onto US-460/ Brambleton Ave.Continue to follow US-460.
Turn Left onto Park Ave./VA-166
Turn right into Gate 1
Continue to go straight for about .2 miles
Swimming pool is located between the Baseball Field and Football Stadium on the left side.