Jan. 26, 2008

BROOKLYN, NY - NJIT rookie Karen Cilento picked up a first-place finish in the 50-free and a season-best in the 100-backstroke as the Highlanders fell 85-46 to St. Francis (NY) Saturday afternoon.

Cilento placed first in the 50-free clocking in at 26.12 while Ashley Craig and Lorin Diaz finished side-by-side with respected times of 32.72 and 34.49.

Highlander Teresa Higgins added a second-place finish in the 500-free with a time of 6:31.53.

"In my first two seasons with the team, we have had great success at our championship meets. Outside of those meets, this was our best meet since I got here", said head coach Eric Rasmussen.

"Our men and women had seven life-time bests and eleven seasonal-best times today. Considering how hard we have been training, this was an excellent meet."

"Their performances today certainly indicates that our swimmers are on the right track for some fast swimming at our championships."

The Highlanders will travel to Rutgers for the Metropolitan Swimming Conference Championships on February 22, 23, and 24.

NJIT will return to action on Saturday, when they host Manhattan at 1pm.