The Panther swimming and diving teams opened their season by hosting Connecticut College in the Middlebury Natatorium. The men earned a tight 146-142 victory, while the women fell by a score of 158-136. The teams are back in action next Saturday when they host Springfield at 1:00 p.m.

The Panther men tallied three individual wins in the pool. Jake Gaughan won the 50 freestyle in 23.94, while Kevin Santoro claimed the 200 breaststroke in 2:02.40. Nick Handali stopped the clock first in the 100 butterfly (53.92).

During the relay events, the 200 medley quartet of Ben Merz, Bryan Chang, Handali and Corey Jalbert posted a winning time of 1:38.09. The 200 free relay comprised of Jalbert, Gaughan, Nick Smith and Will Pannos led the field to the wall in 1:26.87.

In the diving competition, Jason Rickenbacher claimed both the 1-meter (198.68 points) and the 3-meter (154.28 points) titles, respectively.

In the pool, the Panther women also claimed three individual victories. Frances VanderMeer won both the 50 freestyle (24.22) and the 100 free (53.70), while Haley Hutchinson touched first in the 200 breaststroke (2:30.06).

On the diving boards, Mary Cate Carroll won the 1-meter event with 205.50 points, while also taking the 3-meter title with 199.88 points.