WASHINGTON, DC - Traveling across the District to open their competition, the Howard University Swimming and Diving teams faced-off against six local collegiate programs in the Potomac Relay Invitational.  In the three seasons participating in this exhibition, the Bison displayed their strongest showing. 

The women's team earned 20 team points, finishing sixth while the men's team finished seventh with 18 points.

"This is an excellent chance for our team to compete with some terrific local competition," said head coach Matt Salerno.  "We had some nice swims and now have something to build-on for our dual meet season."

For the Lady Bison, the best showing came on the final event, the women's 200 freestyle relay.  Freshmen Briana Dillon (Katy, TX) and Caleah Gregoire (Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago) combined with sophomores Janai Ederaine (Corona, CA) and Ashley Douglas (Missouri City, TX) to post a fifth place finish in a time of 1:44.76.  In the previous event, sophomore Nandi Ross (Capital Heights, MD) teamed with Gregoire for a sixth place finish in the 1000 freestyle relay, the longest of the afternoon.

The men put together some quality races, as well.  Their highest place came in the 1000 freestyle relay where a pair of rookies, Ben Skelding (Palmdale, CA) and Miles Hector (Omaha, NE) posted a time of 10:08.91 for a fifth place finish.  The fireworks at the end of the meet came courtesy of the 200 freestyle relay.  Freshmen Dexter Brown (Pearland, TX) and Trent Popovich (Morro Bay, CA) joined sophomore Darell Hungerford (Clinton, MD) and junior Zadok Isaacs (Cantero Village, Trinidad and Tobago) for a sixth place finish time of 1:28.64 - only 1.01 seconds from second place.

The Bison will travel this Saturday to Fredricksburg, Virginia to face the Mary Washington Eagles in their first dual meet competition.  The meet will begin at 1PM.