Crusaders Deny Victory in 2011-12 Opener to Gophers

Shalamanov Takes First in Three Events, On Winning 400 Medley Relay

TOWSON, Md. — Georgi Shalamanov (Velingrad, Bulgaria/St. St. Kiril & Metodi) placed first in three contested individual events and also swam a leg on Goucher's victororious entry in the 400-yard medley relay as the Gophers opened their 2011-12 season at home today with a Landmark Conference meet against Susquehanna.

Even with the 38 points they earned through Shalamanov's first-place performances in the two breaststroke events and the 200-yard freestyle and by winning the 400 medley relay, the Gophers bowed to the Crusaders, 148-111.

Shalamanov's victory in the 200 free, which he completed in 1:52.01, provided Goucher with a 27-25 lead after three events. His other winning times were :28.47 in the 50-yard breast and 1:03.38 in the 100 breast.

The Gophers (0-1, 0-1 Landmark) also produced the fastest swimmer in the 100 backstroke and the 50 butterfly: Matthew Brower (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis) touched first in the 100 back as he completed the event in :55.95 and Charlie Leonard (Walkersville, Md./Walkersville) was the top performer in the 50 butterfly with his time of :24.86.

In the 400 medley relay, Shalamanov was joined by Brower, Leonard and Brendan McFadden (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) in posting a combined time of 3:43.88.

Kyle Williams (Andover, N.J./Newton) was runner-up in both the 50 backstroke (:26.88) and 100 free (:51.35). Additional second-place efforts were turned in by Dean Silverman (Chappaqua, N.Y./Horace Greeley) in the 1000 free (11:23.14), Leonard in the 100 butterfly (:56.29) and McFadden in the 50 free (:23.12).