CHESTER, Pa. – The Widener University men's swimming team opened its season on a strong note, downing the Stevenson Mustangs in a Middle Atlantic Conference meet, 222-10 on Saturday afternoon.
 
Several members of the Pride won events, led by Adam Winikoff who claimed two first place finishes as well as anchoring a pair of victorious relay teams. He took first in the 50 and 100-yard freestyles with times of 21.99 and 50.30 seconds respectively. He also swam the final leg of the 200-yard medley relay and the 200 free relay. In the medley event, Winikoff teamed up with John Batley, Porter Luksic, and Aaron Green to touch the wall in a time of 1:42.40. In the latter relay, Kenneth Edwards, Sam Smith, Matt Bacon and Winikoff finished in 1:36.08.
 
Smith also had a strong day. In addition to his work in the 200 free relay, he won the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 10:58.80 and claimed the 500 free with a 5:15.09 clocking. Paolo Cortez also won two individual events, finishing first in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:01.23 and winning the 200 IM with a time of 2:10.32.
 
The Pride returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 28 when it travels to Reading, Pa. for a MAC showdown against Albright. The meet is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.