Men, Women Take Second Place at Orange Bowl Classic

Saturday, January 2

Key Largo, Fla.

10:00 AM

Duke University

Day One

Men, Women Take Second Place at Orange Bowl Classic

1/2/2010 11:00:00 PM | Swimming & Diving

By: Duke Sports Information

KEY LARGO, Fla. – Not many people would consider swimming outdoors on the second day of the New Year, but for the Duke swimming team, visiting Key Largo today for the Orange Bowl Classic where temperatures reached 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the weather wasn't much of an issue.

The Blue Devil men and women each took second place on the afternoon. The men scored 419 points but were overpowered by the seventh-ranked Michigan Wolverines. The women posted 466 points to defeat Vermont, Minnesota State, and Adelphi.

Ashley Twichell and Jackie Fasano started off the individual events on a strong foot, placing first and second, respectively, in the 400 meter freestyle. The men faced a notably more difficult field of competitors in the event, including the younger brother of Olympic gold medalist Peter Vanderkaay, Dane Vanderkaay. Nevertheless, Nathan French turned in a time of 4:14.53 to take fourth place while Hunter Roux and Sean Smith followed up in sixth and seventh places, respectively.

It was a very productive day for senior Elizabeth Bellew. The Yonkers, N.Y. native began with a convincing win in the 50 fly before narrowly winning the 100 fly later in the meet. In these two races alone, Bellew contributed 40 points to the team score.

Other winners on the women's side included freshman Emily Barber (50 breaststroke) and junior Kirstie Jeffrey (50 freestyle). Many of the other Duke women got in on the action, notching top times in their events; however, they were regarded exhibition swims. Sophomore Steffi Niessl posted the top time of the day in the 50 butterfly, stopping the clock in 29.35 seconds, and the 50 backstroke while freshman Cara Vogel recorded a meet-best time in the 100 backstroke. Shannon Beall had three exhibition wins for the Blue Devils coming in the 100 freestyle, the 100 butterfly, and the 200 individual medley.

The men were unable to record a victory in the individual events, much to the credit of Michigan, but the depth and consistency of the Blue Devils is what led them to second place. In the 100 backstroke, Murillo Adrados and David Hahn took fourth and fifth places, respectively, earning the team 29 points. Then in the 100 butterfly, junior Nick Garvy swam to a second-place finish while freshman Jacob Bieze took fifth.

The Blue Devil swimmers will not compete again until the end of winter break when they travel to South Carolina on January 16. However, on January 7 the divers will journey to Colorado Springs, Colo. for a date with the Air Force Academy Falcons and the Wolfpack of N.C. State.