NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are preparing for their battle against cross-town rival the Canisius Griffins on Saturday, Jan. 21.  The diving portion will begin at 11 p.m. with the swimming portion following at 1 p.m.    

On the men’s side, freshmen Shane Baxter and Corban Bothell led the charge for the Purple Eagles in last weekend’s matchups against Buffalo and Boston College.  Baxter grabbed two first place finishes in the 200-yard backstroke (1:54.88) and the 100-yard butterfly (52.60) in the 196-103 loss to Boston College.  The former MAAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week tallied wins in the 200-yard IM (1:57.79) and the 100-yard backstroke (52.17) in the defeat to the Bulls.  

Bothell found success in the pool this past weekend, earning first in the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 10:14.86 and second place in the 500-yard freestyle (4:54.66).   

For the women, junior Aubrey Kettrick has been productive in the short-distance events, grabbing two first place finishes in the 198-96 loss to Boston College and one first place finish in the 100-yard freestyle the day before against Buffalo.  Junior Lindsey Jackson also tallied a first place finish the 100-yard breastroke (1:14.29) for the weekend.  

In the long distance events during the meet verses Buffalo, Niagara had solid efforts from senior Kaley Pfohl in the 1000-yard freestyle (11:58.31) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:56.52) and sophomore Emily Kisloski, who grabbed first in the 500-yard freestyle (5:40.35).  

 On the board, senior diver Ian O'Rourke scored 353.70 on the three-meter board against Boston College, breaking his previous record set in 2009.  Senior Ashley Jones grabbed first place in the one-meter dive (246.75) and the three-meter dive (225.75) against Boston College. 

After this weekend, the Purple Eagles will return to Monteagle Ridge to wrap up their regular season against St. Bonaventure on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m.