To commence the 2012-13 competitive season, the Bison of Howard Swimming traveled south to Fredericksburg, Va. to face the Eagles of Mary Washington.  With a strong attack, the Bison were able to take a combined five races between the men's and women's teams.  In the end, the host Eagles took both matches from the Bison with the Lady Bison falling 158-76, and the Howard mean losing 169-75.

The Lady Bison earned three victories on the afternoon, as well as finishing runner-up in two other events.  The most sparkling event for the Howard women came during their final event.  In the 200 freestyle relay, the Lady Bison team of sophomore Briana Dillon (Katy, Texas) juniors Janai Ederaine (Corona, Calif.) and Ashley Douglas (Missouri City, Texas) and senior E'lan Brewer (Lansing, Mich.) swam their fastest dual meet split since 2008 with a first place time of 1:41.45. 

Dillon, Douglas and Ederaine had memorable individual efforts, as well.  Dillon started her sophomore campaign with a victory in the 100 backstroke at a time of 1:02.58.  Douglas followed that triumph with a first place time of 25.50 in the women's 50 freestyle, her fastest dual meet split since her freshman year.  Ederaine took second-place honors in two separate events.  In the 200 freestyle, Ederaine swam her fastest dual meet time in that event with a 2:03.90, good for second place. Later on the afternoon, Ederaine took second-place honors in the 100 freestyle with a time of 57.20. 

The Bison men also had a very good showing in their inaugural competition of the year.  Senior Zadok Isaacs (Cantaro Village, Trinidad and Tobago) was triumphant in the 200 individual medley.  His time of 2:05.42 was his strongest time in the event in two seasons.  Sophomore Trent Popovich (Morro Bay, Calif.) took home the 200 butterfly in winning fashion.  His mark of 2:05.34 was his best swim in the event as a member of the Bison and currently places him 8th on the all-time HU Top Ten list in the 200 butterfly.

Isaacs also finished with two second-place finishes on the afternoon.  In the 100 backstroke, his final 25 vaulted him into second place with a time of 55.30.  Later in the 200 backstroke, the senior narrowly missed winning a second event, but settled for runner-up with a time of 2:01.18.  In the 100 breaststroke, junior Darell Hungerford (Clinton, Md.) took second place with a time of 1:02.85 in his first individual race of the season.

The Bison Swimmers will next welcome the alumni to Burr Pool on Friday, Oct. 19 for the annual Alumni Meet, which begins at 5:30 p.m.  Their next dual meet will be on Saturday, Oct. 27 when they trek across Northwest D.C., to take on American University for a 1:00 p.m. competition.