After a break from competition following the Nike Cup in mid-November, the women's and men's swimming and diving teams returned to action with mixed results Saturday in a dual meet at East Carolina. The women improved their record to 3-1 with a solid 133-110 victory over the Pirates, while the men dropped to 2-2 after a 134-108 loss.
The Blue Devil women, led by freshman stars Lauren Cornet and Lauren Hancock, relied heavily on their youth to capture nine of 13 events and raise their conference record to 3-0.
"I was really happy that we won," Cornet said. "They were known to be an obnoxious team, so we all wanted to get the victory."
After a phenomenal Nike Cup in which she broke the school record of former Olympian Nancy Hogshead in the 100-freestlye, Cornet continued her dominance in the event by winning with a time of 53:50. She also captured the 50-freestyle (24.13) and 200-breaststoke (2:20.25). After four dual meets this season, Cornet remains undefeated.
The other half of the freshman dynamic duo, Hancock, also won three events. She took the 1,000-freestyle (10:22.08), 500-freestyle (5:06.19) and was part of the 400-freestyle relay team (3:36.78).
"Lauren [Hancock] swam great for us today," senior Liz Boswell said. "With everyone thinking a lot about finals now, it was tough, but we really did well."
Hancock and Cornet were not the only freshmen winners, though. Amy Halligan won the 200-butterfly (206.37) and Amanda Davis captured the three-meter diving title (230.85).
While the women swimmers were handling the Pirates, though, their male counterparts faced a tough 6-1 Pirate squad.
"It was a hard-fought battle from the beginning," junior Chris Fleizach said. "ECU just has a great recruiting class because they are giving swimming scholarships and Duke still doesn't."
The highlight of the day was the 400-medley relay, where Fleizach, senior Jack Newhouse, sophomore Ryan Spoon and freshman Conor O'Brien won with their fastest time of the year (3:27.72).
In addition, Spoon, who was named ACC swimmer of the week earlier in the season, captured the 200-breaststroke (2:05.07); O'Brien took the 50-freestyle (21.58); and Fleizach won the 200-butterfly (1:56.98).
"I was exuberant about the [200-butterfly] race," Fleizach said. "I swam it very well."
Duke also dominated the one-meter and three-meter diving competition, as freshman Doug Warner captured both with scores of 207.825 and 200.85, respectively.
The Blue Devils had no answer to Pirate freshman Matt Walker, who is ranked 14th in the nation in the 200-freestyle and 21st in the 500-freestyle. Against Duke, Walker improved his unbeaten streak in dual meets to 15 by capturing the 100 (46.58), 200 (1:39.71) and 500-freestyle (4:39.79) events.
Duke's next official race is not until Jan. 13 against William & Mary, but the team will train and compete in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from Dec. 29 to Jan. 8.
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