MADISON, N.J. (Oct. 25, 2014) – The Drew University men's swimming and diving team picked up valuable experience and four first place finishes in the season opening 108-83 dual meet loss to King's (Pa.) College on Saturday afternoon at F.M. Kirby Pool.
 
The Rangers began the 2014-15 season on a high note by winning the first race of the afternoon, the 200-yard medley relay. The men picked up 11 important points as the foursome finished the relay in 1:48.79. Sophomore Bobby DeMarco led off with the fastest backstroke split (30.34) of the relay before sophomore Peter Mari finished the breaststroke in 30.10 seconds. Sophomore Logan Amodio followed with a 24.81 on the butterfly leg and junior Mike Smoliga clinched the win with a 23.64 in the freestyle.
 
"Winning that relay to lead off the meet was fantastic," said head coach Eric Scheingoltz. "It shows that we have some really good talent. We were strong in all four areas. Bobby really impressed on his leg and showed his swimming versatility all meet long."
 
DeMarco continued a successful season opener by winning the 200-yard individual medley convincingly in 2:18.57, five and a half seconds clear of the second place King's finisher. He also turned in an impressive 1:05.71 in the 100-yard backstroke to finish second in that event.
 
Amodio picked up the first place finish in the 100-yard butterfly, besting the field of five men and stopping the clock at 56.64 for a four-second victory over the King's swimmer that finished second in the race. Amodio finished the day a perfect 3-for-3 in first place finishes by winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:06.09.
 
Freshman Louis Tighe made his Drew debut in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:07.39, just missing his lifetime best and showing the Rangers' potential for quick times in the event.
 
Drew is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1:00 p.m. in a dual meet at Mount St. Mary (N.Y.) College.