LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The Washington and Lee men's and women's swimming teams opened their 2004-05 seasons against Transylvania and DePauw in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday afternoon. The men's team defeated Transylvania, 143.5-61.5, and DePauw, 127-76, while the women beat Transylvania, 112-93, and fell to DePauw, 90-115.

In the men's meet, the quartet of freshmen Will Hartmann (Williamsburg, Va./Walsingham Academy) and Stuart Frankfort (Lynchburg, Va./E.C. Glass), senior Chris Colby (Ossining, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac), and junior Jonathan James (Covington, La./Covington) swam to a first place finish in the 400 medley relay in a meet-record time of 3:41.77.

Sophomore Michael Ginder (Jacksonville, Fla./Episcopal) was a double-winner by capturing both the 200 freestyle (1:48.05) and 200 backstroke (1:57.72). Freshman Evan Fitzgerald (Southern Pines, N.C./Oneal School) had a fine debut by placing first in the 500 freestyle in a time of 5:10.57.

In the women's meet, sophomore Abbie Sauter (Darien, Conn./Darien) won the 200 breaststroke in a time of 2:37.98 while freshman Jessica Cobb (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) swam to a second place finish in the 200 backstroke (2:15.79). In the 400 freestyle relay, senior Suzie LaFleur (Natick, Mass./Montrose), sophomore Sarah Bloom (Bettendorf, Iowa/Pleasant Valley), and freshmen Danielle Cardone (Allendale, N.J./Northern Highlands Regional) and Amy Roberson (Nacogdoches, Texas/Nacogdoches) finished first in a time of 3:54.87.

The W&L swimming teams return to the pool when they open the home schedule against Catholic on Sat., Oct. 30. The meet begins at 1:00 pm.

-- GENERALS --