Riverdale, NY – Manhattan swimming and diving has completed and officially posted its schedule for the 2018-2019 season, second-year Head Coach
Molly Belk announced today.
The full slate includes nine schools that were on the docket last year and five programs that the Jaspers did not see last year.
"I am extremely excited with the way our schedule came together for both programs," mentioned Belk. "Each opponent is a quality program that will test our strength, abilities and our resolve the entire way. Our swimmers and divers are looking forward to the challenge."
SEASON OPENER
- The action kicks off against a MAAC rival to open the season, as Manhattan visits Fairfield in the Fairfield Invitational on Saturday, September 29.
- Diving begins at 10:00 am with the swimming events at 1:00 pm.
- It is the first time the Jaspers and Stags will compete outside of the MAAC Tournament and in an invite since 2008.
- In addition to the two MAAC programs, Southern Connecticut State and Bridgeport join the competition.
OCTOBER
- In the week after, Manhattan goes local to Brooklyn Heights for the Brooklyn Invite from Friday, October 5 at 3:00 pm, to Saturday, October 6 at 9:00 am. The men will compete against St. Francis Brooklyn while the women tackle the Terriers and the Blackbirds of LIU Brooklyn. The men's squad defeated the Terriers 182-120 and 122-82 in the two matchups they had last year.
- Manhattan then treks down the I-95 corridor to face Howard and American in a tri-meet hosted by the Eagles on Friday, October 12. The first event is expected to start at 6:00 pm. Both the men's and women's teams beat Howard in the last meeting between the two programs on January 31, 2015.
- The next event features the men's program in the NJIT Invitational on Sunday, October 21 at 10:00 am. The Jaspers will seek their first win over the Highlanders since November 1, 2014.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
- On Saturday, November 3, both teams return to Connecticut to battle Sacred Heart (women only) and Holy Cross in Fairfield. The divers will compete at 11:30 am and the swimmers follow suit at 1:00 pm. Manhattan women's swimming hosted the Pioneers in the home opener at the Fieldston School last season.
- Manhattan's first and only home meet of the season features a MAAC tussle with Siena (women only) and Monmouth on Saturday, November 17 at 1:00 pm. The tri-meet will host Senior Night and Alumni Night, and will also be a Go Green event for Jasper student-athletes.
- After a 13-day layoff, the Jaspers participate in the 2018 ECAC Winter Championships from November 30 to December 2, hosted by Baruch College at the Nassau Aquatics Center in East Meadow, NY.
- The Jaspers wrap up their 2018 calendar at local rival Fordham in the Battle of the Bronx on Wednesday, December 5 at 6:00 pm. This will be the sixth straight season both programs take on one another.
JANUARY
- Following the team's annual training trip, Manhattan returns to the pool on Tuesday, January 20 for a dual meet at Colgate at 3:00 pm. The Raiders swim at the Grace H. Lineberry Natatorium in Hamilton, NY.
- The regular season concludes with a dual meet against local foe and MAAC rival Iona on January 26 at 1:00 pm. After the two teams raced at the Riverdale Country Aquatic Center in January, the series switches to the Hynes Center Pool on the Gaels' campus this season.
The 2019 MAAC Championships take place from Wednesday, February 13 to Saturday, February 16 at Erie Community College in Buffalo, NY. Canisius and Niagara will host the event.
