RESULTS (DAY ONE)

POTSDAM, N.Y. - The Norwich University men's and women's swimming & diving teams both posted strong team and individual efforts in the first day of the two-day North Country Invitational, hosted by SUNY Potsdam this weekend.

The Cadet men currently sit in second-place out of five with 244.50 points, just five back of Saint Michael's College for the top spot but comfortably ahead of Clarkson University's third-place spot.  The Cadet women, meanwhile, are positioned in third out of five teams, sandwiched in between Clarkson and SUNY Oswego with 153.50 points.

19 events took place on the opening day, kicked off by strong team efforts in the 400 yard medley relay.  The team of Angelina Kelliher (Weymouth, Mass.), Hannah Shaner (Gilbertsville, Pa.), Nikky Avise (Owens Cross Roads, Ala.), and Jenna Tschida (Goffstown, N.H.) led Norwich to a third-place spot in the women's side, while the men's team, comprised of Adrian Riendeau (Ridgecrest, Calif.), Will Thompson (Downington, Pa.), Benjamin Stark (Montverde, Fla.), and Martin Adliantiski (Cheshire, Conn.), smashed the school record in the 400 yard medley relay behind a 3:35.38 time.

In individuals, Norwich had similar success.  Shaner posted a third-place finish in the 500 yard freestyle, before Adlianitski scooped up a second-place spot in the men's side.  Stark, Riendeau, and Arthur Abrams (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) took second, third, and fourth in the 200 yard IM, while Avise cruised to Norwich's first individual victory of the afternoon.

Aidan Grady (Sandwich, Mass.) logged an impressive 209.95 in the men's 1 meter diving competition to give the Cadets another win, and Avise added another to the tally after finishing just three milliseconds over a minute in the 100 yard butterfly.

Norwich would close out the afternoon with one more victory, this time securing a team win in the 200 yard freestyle relay behind a 1:43.90 time by Shaner, Deanna Parot (San Diego, Calif.), Tschida, and Avise.

"After a long trip we stepped off the bus ready to compete.  There is excitement with the Holiday break coming up and lots of family and friends in the stands," Head Coach Jennifer Cournoyer said.  "The team brought even more excitement with the men starting us off with breaking the school record in the 400 Medley Relay and the Women closing the evening with a win in the 200 Free Relay.  We are ready for some good sleep and ready to come back in the morning refreshed."

The Cadets will return to action at 10:00 a.m. in the North Country Invitational on Saturday, Nov. 19, looking to end November competition on a high note ahead of Thanksgiving break.