Vermont Wins Home Opener

The University of Vermont swimming and diving team opened up the home portion of its schedule on Saturday with a 167-124 victory over visiting Siena at Forbush Natatorium. With the win the Catamounts improve to 4-0 for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

Junior Kate Weaver (South Burlington, Vt.) led the way for Vermont with three wins on the afternoon. Weaver took first in the 100 (54.22) and 200 (1:54.08) freestyle events and also the 100 butterfly (59.57). Senior Colleen Clark (Unionville, Conn.) was also a multiple-event winner, as she placed first in the 50 (25.00) and 500 (5:05.95) freestyle events.

Weaver and Clark teamed up with freshman Abby Mundt (Madison, Wis.) and sophomore Hannah Center (Chevy Chase, Md.) to also break the pool record in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:37.07.

Freshman Karole-Ann Bayer (Richmond, Va.) and sophomore Jordan Schweizer (Evanston, Ill.) each picked up their first collegiate wins on Saturday, as Bayer won the 200 backstroke (2:14.48) and Schweizer took the top spot in the 200 breaststroke (2:30.95). Also earning first place for the Cats were sophomores Avery Pittman (Raleigh, N.C.) in the 200 butterfly (2:13.35), Katie Heenan (Clarendon Hills, Ill.) in the 1,000 freestyle (10:40.64) and Lauren Colby (Andover, Mass.) in the one-meter dive.

Vermont went 1-2-3 in five events on the afternoon as it has now won six straight meets at home. The Catamounts return to action next Saturday against a pair of America East foes, when they travel to Vestal, N.Y. to take on Binghamton with Boston University starting at 1 p.m.

NOTES: Vermont has now defeated Siena (1-2) in each of the last five seasons ... The Cats have won their home opener in four of the last five seasons ... Siena head coach Greg Brown was a swimmer at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa. when Vermont's Gerry Cournoyer was the head coach there ... UVM is now 15-5 in its last 20 meets at home ... Check back on Sunday for video highlights and a photo gallery from the meet.