HALL OF HONOR

Henderson State Falls to Delta State to Open Swim Season
Oct. 11, 2009
By Cody Qualls

Henderson State opened its 2009 swim season over the weekend in Cleveland, Miss. against a very good Delta State University squad. The men’s team lost a close competition by a final score of 144-136, and the Lady Red Wave fell 156-135.

The Red Wave performance was highlighted by the swimming of two freshman, Zach Interrante and Nick James.

Interrante (Cleburn, Texas) first tasted victory as part of Henderson State’s 200-medley relay team along with James, Valery Ladrat and Selim Oz. The four Red Wave swimmers won the event in 1:35.80.

Interrante then won the 200-butterfly event in 1:57.61, over two seconds faster than the second place finisher from DSU. The freshman won the 100-butterfly event relatively easily as well with a time of 50.59.

James (Harare, Zimbabwe) won the 100-backstroke in 52.88 and finished second in the 200-backstroke in 1:55.87. James was also part of the winning 200-freestyle relay team along with Grant Beahan, Terrance Fogle and Selim Oz.

Beahan, the junior All-American, also earned wins in the 100 (46.89) and 200 (1:44.16) freestyle events.

Sophomore diver James Thomas (Texarkana, Texas) won both the 1 meter and 3 meter diving events, while freshman Valery Ladrat (Pelissanne, France) won the 200-breaststroke in 2:11.79.

The Lady Red Wave were led by Natalie Gallant and Nicole Horn.

Gallant, the sophomore from Caledon, Canada, won both the 100 and 200 backstroke events, swimming the first event in 1:00.75 before winning the 200-back in 2:09.39.

Gallant also finished second in the 200 IM to teammate Chelsea Leary (Fr., Klein, Texas), who finished third to Gallant earlier in the 200-backstroke.

Horn finished second in both freestyle events, swimming the 50-freestyle in 24.84 and the 100-freestyle in 53.91.

Rebekah Norman (Hot Springs, Ark.) won the 1000 freestyle with a time of 10:52.55, while senior Ozden Sari finished third in 11:03.70.

Freshman diver Jennifer Rodriguez won both the 1 meter and 3 meter events, while sophomore Caitlin Cavert earned a second place finish.

Freshman Nikki Colton (Edmond, Okla.) Was another bright spot for Henderson State, winning the 200-breaststroke in 2:28.

Henderson State will next compete on the campus of Ouachita Baptist on Fri. October 23 at 6:30 in Arkadelphia, Ark.