Nate Katz

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. (January 17, 2004) – In the Occidental Chemical Corporation Aquatic Center, the Niagara men’s and women’s swim teams split exhibition contests with the University of Waterloo from Ontario, with the Niagara women winning, 114-89, and the men losing, 132-57. 

Junior Traci Liberi (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) and freshman Heather Link (Niagara, NY/Niagara Wheatfield) were both double winners for the Niagara women. Liberi won the 100 and 200-yard freestyle events, while Link captured the 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke. The duo swam together on the first-place 200-yard medley relay, along with senior Karolina Bazylewicz (Buffalo, NY/Hutch Tech) and freshman Jody Kennis (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda).  

Another individual event winner for the Niagara women was junior Christen Kane (Lockport, NY/Lockport), who captured the 200-yard freestyle. Bazylewicz, senior Ashley Churder (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda), sophomore Jody Pangburn (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca East) and freshman Stacie Thoman (Lockport, NY/Starpoint) earned the first-place finish in the 200-yard free relay. 

For the Niagara men’s team, junior Nate Katz (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) was the lone individual winner, capturing the 50-yard freestyle. The Niagara 200-yard medley relay also took top honors. The relay team included sophomore Kevin Klein (Oswego, NY/Oswego), junior Brian Griffin (Petersburg, VA/St. Vincent de Paul), Katz and freshman Brandon Smith (Lockport, NY/Lockport). 

The two Niagara teams return to action on Saturday, Jan. 24 with dual meets at Cleveland State.