NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara swimming and diving teams begin the 2013 portion of the season against the University at Buffalo on Saturday, Jan. 12.  The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Alumni Arena Natatorium.   

Last Time vs. Buffalo
This will be the second straight season the Purple Eagles will start the New Year in the pool against Buffalo.  Last time these two squads met was on Jan. 13, 2012 where the men lost 124-100, and the women dropped a 126-93 decision to the Bulls.  

The Purple Eagles were led by Shane Baxter and Aubrey Kettrick.  Baxter notched victories in the 200-yard IM (1:57.79), and grabbed a first place finish the 100-yard backstroke (52.17).  Kettrick placed first in the 100-yard freestyle, completing the swim in 54.76. 

Been A Long While
Niagara has not been in pool since taking part in the Zippy Invitational at Akron, Ohio (Nov. 30 – Dec. 2).  The men finished in sixth out of the six teams with 749 points, while the women placed tenth out of a ten-team pool with 255 points.

Seven individual Niagara records were broken during the three-day event, as well as four relay records. 

Aubrey Kettrick had a solid showing for the women, breaking the record in the 50, 100 and 200-yard freestyle, and 100-yard butterfly.  She also helped the 400-yard freestyle team that included Emily York, Lindsey Jackson and Chelsea O'Laughlin to a record breaking time of 3:36.13.  Julia Bulmahn also broke her own NU record in the 200-yard backstroke set in 2011 after swimming the even in 2:08.35. 

Emily Kisloski, York, O’Laughlin and Kettrick combined for a new Niagara record in the 200-yard freestyle (1:38.23). 

On the men’s side, Shane Baxter clocked in at 1:51.36 in the 200-yard backstroke to break his own Niagara record by 26 seconds.  Carl Roycroft earned his place in the Niagara record books as well during competition after swimming the 100-yard breaststroke in 58.48. 

Baxter and Roycroft rallied with Brian Sawma and Nathanial Resila in the 200-yard medley relay for a seventh place finish with a record-breaking time of 1:35.33.  Eric Ebert joined Baxter, Roycroft and Sawma in the 400-yard medley relay to swim a 3:27.76 for a new program best. 

Up Next for Niagara
The Purple Eagles are back in the pool on Jan. 19 when they host the Canisius Golden Griffins at the Oxy Aquatic Center during Senior Day. 
 
2013 Swimming & Diving MAAC Championships
For the third consecutive year, the 2013 Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships will take place at the Burt Flickinger Center at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y. with Canisius College and Niagara co-hosting the three-day event from Feb. 14-16.  Tickets are available for the event via TicketLeap.com.