Howard Scores Nine Victories in NW D.C. Battle at American
written by Matthew Salerno
The Bison swimmers traveled to American University on Saturday afternoon to renew their annual rivalry with fellow District tenant, American University. Howard swam very well, scoring a season-high nine team victories along with four swims earning a place in the all-time top 10 list. The final team scores had the men falling to the host Eagles 175-76 while American recorded a 159-84 victory in the women's competition.
"We showed great resolve and determination this afternoon," said head coach Matt Salerno. "We fed off each other's competitive spirit and desire to take charge of their races."
A trio of Bison earned two individual victories against AU. Junior Ashley Douglas (Missouri City, TX) had most impressive dual meet in her career. Douglas set a new career mark in the 200 freestyle, winning with a time of 2:04.21. Later Douglas won her 2nd individual 50 freestyle race in as many opportunities with a 25.41, a new season best. In her third individual race, Douglas set a new career best mark of 1:02.69 in the 100 butterfly, placing her 9th all-time in Lady Bison history in the event.
Sophomore Briana Dillon (Katy, TX) had a tremendous day in the pool. Dillon was victorious in the 100 freestyle with a season-best time of 55.87. She scored a second place finish in the 1000 freestyle by the narrowest of margins, but her time of 11:12.52 placed her 4th all-time in Howard's history for the event. In the 100 breaststroke, the sophomore set a new best time in her collegiate career with a 1:11.34, vaulting her into 7th all-time in the University's history in the event.
Junior Janai Ederaine (Corona, CA) was busy putting up good numbers, as well. Ederaine is now 10th all-time in the 200 butterfly after her 2:25.60, good for a third place finish. Ederaine also was second in the 100 freestyle, helping the Lady Bison finish 1-2 in the event, with her season-best time of 57.02.
Douglas, Dillon and Ederaine combined with freshman Benta Horton-Gee (Baltimore, MD) to conclude the meet with a victory in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:42.31.
On the men's side, senior Zadok Isaacs (Cantaro Village, Trinidad and Tobago) and sophomore Miles Hector (Omaha, NE) each recorded two individual triumphs. Isaacs took control early in both the 100 and 200 freestyles in going away. His times of 48.77 and 1:47.71, respectively, are both team best marks on the season.
Hector scored his first two wins of the year with season best marks in the 1000 and 500 freestyles. In the 1000, Hector finished with a time of 10:25.63 and, in the 500, the sophomore notched the win with a 5:02.39. Fellow classmate Trent Popovich (Morro Bay, CA) notched an outstanding victory in the 50 freestyle. His time of 22.42 was close to 1.5 seconds faster than the next closest competitor.
Popovich and Isaacs teamed with freshman Matthew Wilson (Murietta, CA) and senior Darien Washington (Detroit, MI) to finish second in the 200 freestyle relay. Their time of 1:30.83 was a season-best mark for the relay.