Men's Swimming and Diving | 1/9/2016 7:44:00 PM

ONEONTA, NY – The Hartwick men's and women's swimming and diving teams hosted tri-meets with visiting Union College and Springfield College on Saturday at Moyer Pool in the Hawks' first competitions of 2016. The 'Wick men swept, defeating Union 185-109 and Springfield 195-78. The women's team fell to the Dutchwomen 127-170 and to the Pride 82.5-219.5.
           
The men's team was dominant, winning 11 events on the day. The Hawks also finished 1-2-3 in two events and 1-2 in an additional six races.
           
Senior Ben Detar (Charleston, SC/Hanahan) and freshman Aron Zhang (Douglaston, NY/Brooklyn Technical) each won three individual races for the Hawks. Senior Matt Plunkett (Cooper City, FL/Cooper City) had a pair of winnings swims and junior Joe Mulvehill (Penfield, NY/Penfield) added one win.
           
Detar was first in the 1000 free (10:08.89), the 200 fly (1:58.81), and the 100 fly (53.84) on the afternoon. Brendan Quinn (Raleigh, NC/Heritage) was right behind Detar in second in both the 200 fly (2:01.23) and 100 fly (54.86). Chris Farrell (Charlotte, NC/Rocky River) was second in the 1000 free (10:16.24). He was also second in the 500 free event (5:03.06).
           
Zhang took top billing in the 100 back (53.95). He was followed by Brian Edmister III (Belmont, NY/Genesee Valley Central) in second and Zane Grunewald (New Windsor, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) in third. Zhang would also take the 100 free (48.22) and the 200 IM (1:59.63).
           
Plunkett won the 200 freestyle event in 1:48.19. He edged out Mulvehill (1:49.56) who took second. Mulvehill returned the favor in 50 free to place first, just 0.41 seconds in front of Plunkett.
           
Plunkett, Grunewald, and Mulvehill went 1-2-3 in the 200 backstroke. Plunkett touched first in 1:55.75. Grunewald was second in 2:00.54, and Edmister was third in 2:00.72.
           
The Hawks swept the relay events. Zhang, Brendan Day (Westfield, MA/Westfield), Detar, and David Mauro (Queensbury, NY/Glens Falls) combined for a win in the 200 medley relay (1:39.45). Grunewald, Joey Moffitt (Tunkhannock, PA/Tunkhannock), Quinn, and Robert Marvald (Richester, NY/Brighton) placed second.
           
Mulvehill, Edmister, Mauro, and Plunkett won the 400 free relay in 3:18.95.
           
The women won one race on the day. Imma Rutigliano (Tilson, NY/John A. Coleman) took the 200 IM with a final time of 2:13.20. She was also second in the 100 back (1:01.96).
           
Rachel Bellis (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) was second in a pair of events. She was runner-up in the 1000 free (11:15.86) and the 500 free (5:29.04).
           
Helen Merkley (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) placed third in 200 backstroke in 2:19.73. Morgan Riggins (Austin, TX/Dripping Springs) tied for third in the 100 breast (1:13.29).
           
The team of Rutigliano, Riggins, Maddy Hayes (Eagan, MN/Eagan), and Kelsey Elliott (Cortland, NY/Homer) placed second in the 200 medley relay. Bree Jefferds (Watertown, NY/Watertown), Elliott, Bellis, and Rutigliano took third in the 400 free relay.
           
Hartwick's teams hit the road tomorrow for meets with SUNY Cortland. Action begins at 1 p.m.