CUA opens season with home meet vs. AU and GW

WASHINGTON – The Cardinals opened their 2010-11 season on Friday evening as CUA hosted American and George Washington.  Joanna Ladas had CUA’s top finish on the day as she placed third in the 500 free with a time of 5:17.69, while Dominic Grillo finished fifth in the 50 free with a time of 22.62 seconds.

Top finishers for the Cardinals on the women’s side included Gabby Giambagno in the 500 free with a time of 5:29.87, Lisa Brooks, who finished the 200 IM in a time of 2:22.09 and placed eighth, and Shannon Silsby (2:26.66), Chelsea Hewitt (2:27.74) and Melanie Rebechi (2:27.76) in the 500 free.

Ladas added a seventh place finish in the 50 free with a time of 25.69 seconds, while Silsby (26.53) and Melissa Gately (26.93) fininshed 12th and 13th in the same event.

On the men’s side, Justin Kenyon was CUA’s top finisher in the 500 free as he crossed in 5:07.73, which was good for 11th place, while Caleb Capozella placed tenth in the 200 IM with a time of 2:06.61.  Patrick Flannery finished the 200 IM in 13th place and Stephen Gill was 15th.

Joining Grillo in the 50 free with strong performances were Patrick Flannery, with a time of 22.77 (ninth place) and Samuel Johnson (23.53), Stephen Gill (23.58), Brendon Place (23.75), and Brian Jones (23.97).

The same three teams will get together on Saturday on the campus of American to finish their season opening meet.  Action begins at 10:00 AM.  There will be live video coverage of the morning session available on American’s website at aueagles.com.