HAMILTON – For the first time in the program's history the Colgate women's swimming and diving team won its annual fall classic, edging St. Bonaventure by 11 points on Saturday's final action of the Colgate Invite inside Lineberry Natatorium. 

Colgate has been hosting its season-opening event since 2015-16, and twice earned second-place finishes (2015-16, 2019-20) before claiming the top spot this weekend. The Raiders scored 802 points, besting St. Bonaventure, UMass, St. Francis, and Le Moyne. 

The men's team finished third out of four teams with 520.5 total points. Colgate finished nearly 100 points ahead of Le Moyne and trailed St. Bonaventure (1,185.5) and UMass (662.5). 

COACH PRETRE'S COMMENTS
"With the women, to win their first invite at Colgate ever was a big deal for them, especially that they're so tired and heavy in the water, but the grit they showed today was just unbelievable and a total team victory. Our men's team continues to improve more and more each year. You can really see their depth and talent starting to flourish. The teams did an outstanding job today bringing a lot of energy on deck! The coaching staff couldn't be prouder of everyone the last two days and we look forward to continuing with hard training for the month of Rocktober. "

HOW IT HAPPENED 

MG King was dominant once again on Saturday, bringing home a pair of second-place finishes in the 200 Back (2:05.93) and 500 Free (5:12.92). Their time in the 500 Free clocked in nearly two seconds faster than their entry mark. 

Natalie Hofer also garnered a second-place finish, taking the runner-up spot in the 200 Breast with a time of 2:26.34, more than three seconds faster than her entry time. Audrey Collins (100 Fly) and Julia Quernemoen (200 IM) grabbed third-place finishes on the day. 

The 400 Free Relay team of Elizabeth Rainey, Heather O'Day, Brooke Garretson, and Lucy Art brought home a second-place time of 3:36.29, just five seconds off the leader's pace. 

Deacon Mascarinas shined on the men's side once again, picking up his second victory of the weekend in the 200 IM with an impressive time of 1:56.12. Mascarinas also earned a top-five finish with a fourth-place tally in the 100 Free. 

Matthew Szypula and JD Suarez were shining moments for the men's team with fourth and fifth place finishes in the 200 Back with respective times of 1:57.22 and 1:57.59. Henry Newhall, another first-year, registered a fifth-place finish in the 200 Breast (2:16.81).

On the final event of the day, the men's team finished strong in the 400 Free Relay, led by Jack Schurtz-Ford, Cooper Luedde, Scott Pejic, and Tyler Bosma, tallying fourth place. 

UP NEXT
Colgate is back in action Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27, when the Raiders host Le Moyne and Lafayette back-to-back days inside Lineberry Natatorium. 

Colgate Invite First Place Finishes

• MG King - 200 Free, 1:56.36
• Deacon Mascarinas - 100 Breast, 57.80
• Deacon Mascarinas - 200 IM, 1:56.12