ABERDEEN, SD – It was a night of celebration for the University of Mary and the women's swim team as the newest Marauders athletic team competed for the first time. Under the direction of head coach Allan McCallum, who started the program from scratch when he stepped on campus in January, the 15-member Marauders squad didn't win any events in the water on opening night. Competing for the first time, though, was victory enough.
 
In the tri-team meet hosted by Northern State University, the Marauders were outscored 209-52 by the host Wolves. Another first year program, Augustana, also swam past Mary 189-65. 
 
Mary had several key performers on opening night. Marauders Meghan Mokhtary and Elizabeth Moriarty posted runner-up finishes while freshman Alyssa Boese claimed third in two events.
 
Mokhtary claimed second in the 100-yard breaststroke. The freshman from Rice, MN, posted a time of 1:12.14 in the event. She was fourth in the 200-yard breaststroke.
 
Moriarty finished second in the 100-yard butterfly, clipping along in a time of 1:02.75. The freshman from Brookings, SD, also took fourth in the 200-yard butterfly.
 
A freshman from Billings, MT, Boese was third in both the 200-yard backstroke and the 400-yard individual medley. She did the breaststroke in 2:16.66 and the IM in 4:51.27.
 
In the 1,000-yard freestyle, Melissa Andrews claimed third when she clocked in at 11:33.12.
 
Sam Putti, a freshman from Farmington Hills, MI, took third in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 26.45 seconds.
 
Brittany Davis (Lexington Park, MD) was third in the 200-yard breaststroke.
 
The Marauders closed their opening night with a third place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Moriarty, Andrews, Boese and Kate Murphy combined to touch the end line in 3:50.68.
 
Next up for Mary is another first. The Marauders host their first home meet on Oct. 23 at the Aquatic Center when MSU Moorhead visits for a dual meet.
 
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