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Now comfortable as a Keydet, Sgrignoli shines for VMI in the pool

College notebook

Date published: 12/6/2006

By KURT NICOLL

GETTING ACCLIMATED to a longer season and a tougher training schedule--not to mention the daily demands and commitments stemming from a military lifestyle--can send the heartiest of souls into a period of self-doubt.

But freshman Philip Sgrignoli (Massaponax) has quickly adjusted to his surroundings and is positioning himself to become a major player for the Virginia Military Institute men's swimming and diving team.

"It took Philip a little time to pick up on our training routine, but I think he has it now," coach Bill Nicholson said after the rookie's 41-point performance in last weekend's invitational meet in Ashland. "He has a lot of potential, and I think he could be one of our dark horses at the [Northeast] conference meet."

Sgrignoli captured first place in the 200-yard butterfly (2:10.88), added seconds in 200 individual medley (2:12.99), 400 medley relay (3:58.05) and 800 free relay (7:48.59) and was third in the 100 fly (56.84).

In all five events, the posted times represented seasonal team bests by the Keydets.

VMI outdistanced Catholic, 562-554, for the men's team crown, while host Randolph-Macon had no trouble holding off Catholic, 515-402, for the women's crown.

"A lot of good things happened for us this weekend," Nicholson commented on the showing. "We had five guys win individual events, and a lot of the times we put up were seven to eight seconds better than our previous top times. I tell the guys that to win, it takes ever single person to step up, and they did just that this weekend.

"Catholic shaved down for the match, so I wasn't sure how we would do," he said. "But our guys came out determined, and it came down to the final swimmer in the final event before we won."

Two other area swimmers turned in noteworthy efforts as well. Randolph-Macon's Maggie Frye (James Monroe) was a member of the Yellow Jackets' runners-up foursomes in the 200 and 400 relays (1:47.03 and 3:51.85, respectively) and added fifth-place finishes in both the 200 and 400 IM (2:25.26 and 5:11.55, respectively).

Salem (N.C.) College's Rachel Fichthorn (Liberty) recorded a seventh-place finish in the women's 1,650 free (20:37.06).

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Date published: 12/6/2006