Oct. 19, 2007

Results

DAYTON, Ohio - Sophomore Patrick Rongitsch continued his fast start to the season, winning both diving events to pace the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee swimming & diving team against Wright State Friday. Rongitsch, the reigning Horizon League Diver of the Week, was one of the lone bright spots for the Panthers as the Raiders won each swimming event en route to the 152-88 victory.

Junior Robby Leibold added three second-place finishes on the night, while sophomore Jeremy Waldhart took second in two events.

"We just didn't swim well," UWM head coach Dave Griffore said. "It's still early, but we need to find a way to step it up tomorrow [against Eastern Michigan] to salvage something from this weekend."

After taking second on both boards last week against Big Ten foe Wisconsin, Rongitsch bettered that effort with two victories against Wright State. He recorded a 289.35 point total on the one-meter to win by almost 50 points. Then, he added 302.25 points on the three to win by almost 40 and pull off his first career sweep of the boards at a dual meet.

"P.J. is off to a great start," Griffore said. "We are definitely looking forward to what he will be able to do the rest of the season."

Leibold battled Scott Lang, last year's swimmer of the meet at the Horizon League Championships, in the 500 and 1,000 freestyles, but came in second in each. He recorded times of 4:45.78 in the 500 and 9:48.76 in the 1,000. He also added a second-place effort in the 200 butterfly in a time of 1:58.51.

Waldhart pulled off his two second-place efforts in the 200 backstroke (1:56.50) and the 200 breaststroke (2:18.76). Freshman Bill McCarty added the final second-place showing for Milwaukee in the 200 freestyle, recording a time of 1:46.85.

In addition to Lang, Wright State's Zach Fisher and Warren Thompson each won two events each to lead the way for WSU.

The Panthers will have the chance to get right back in the pool tomorrow, swimming against Eastern Michigan, scheduled for an 11 a.m. start.