Freshman had an outstanding third night at the NEC Swimming and Diving Championship, making several trips to the podium throughout the evening. Saint Francis U continues to lead in the team standings with 477.5 points.
Bryant has moved into second place, with 456.5 points, while Wagner is third with 441. CCSU is fifth (415) followed by Mount St. Mary's (202), Sacred Heart (126) and St. Francis Brooklyn (115).
Wagner freshman Amanda Lucia (Easthampton, MA/Easthampton) won the first event of the night, the 400 IM, in 4:23.63. Bryant freshman Lauren Doerman (Oley, PA/Oley Valley) was right on her heels, finishing second in 4:24.53, while Saint Francis U's Megan Collins (Monroeville, PA/Oakland Catholic) placed third in 4:26.11.
Libby Francis (Dundee, Scotland/Grove Academy) of Saint Francis U successfully defended her title in the 100 butterfly, winning the event for the third straight year in a time of 56.11. Lucia completed an impressive double having just swum moments before, securing the silver medal with her time of 56.21. Bryant freshman Jamie Schaefer (Durham, NC/CE Jordan) took third in 56.33.
Bryant's Taylor DeBever (Denver, CO/Regis Jesuit) took back her in 200 free title, winning the event for the second time in her career in 1:49.10. She just edged out 2012 champion Taylor Friedmann (Berlin, CT/Berlin) of Central Connecticut, who finished in 1:49.70. Allison Rasile (Branford, CT/Branford) finished third for the Blue Devils in 1:51.04.
Saint Francis U earned a 1-2 finish in the 100 breaststroke, as Elise Lofgren (Molnlycke, Sweden/Hule) captured her third straight title in the event with a time of 1:03.77. Her teammate, freshman Cat Rogers (Nokesville, VA/Seton School), finished right behind her in 1:04.55. Alexandra Morreale (Short Hills, NJ/Millburn) finished third for Bryant in 1:04.84.
In the surprise of the night, Central Connecticut's Helene Neuhaus (Westport, CT/Staples) won the 100 backstroke title over three-time defending champion and NEC record holder Casey Ostrander (Yarmouthport, MA/Barnstable) of Bryant. Neuhaus touched in 55.86 for the win, while Ostrander finished in second in 56.16. The Bulldogs' Elizabeth Schauer (Pelham, NY/Pelham Memorial) and Saint Francis U's Danyel Johnson (Dansville, NY/Dansville), both freshman, tied for third in 56.83.
The Red Flash's squad of Johnson, Lofregn, Francis and Alicia Ford (Whitney Point, NY/Whitney Point) took gold in the 400 medley relay in 3:47.56, making it the fourth straight year Saint Francis U has won the event. Bryant's team, made up of Ostrander, Morreale, Schaefer and Debever, was second in 3:49.09, while Neuhaus, Kristina Gulia (Orange, CT/Amity), Kellen Power (Jan Jose, CA/Valley Christian) and Friedmann were third for the Blue Devils in 3:50.75.
The 2013 NEC Swimming and Diving Championships will resume for the final day tomorrow at 11:00 AM.
Team Results After Day Three
1. Saint Francis U - 477.5
2. Bryant - 456.5
3. Wagner - 441
4. Central Connecticut - 415
5. Mount St. Mary's - 202
6. Sacred Heart - 126
7. St. Francis Brooklyn - 115
