The University of Connecticut women’s swimming and diving team hosted a non-scoring scrimmage against Central Connecticut, Yale and Rhode Island Saturday afternoon at the Wolff-Zackin Natatorium.
The Huskies saw great swims from several swimmers, including seniors Katy Munzenmaier (Lake George, N.Y.) and Chinyere Pigot (Miami, Fla.), sophomore Christine Pedersen (Vinterbro, Norway) and freshman Emily Parillo (Phillipston, Mass.), who all earned first place finishes on Saturday.
Munzenmaier won the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:52.31 and finished second in the 100-yard freestyle (53.26), while Pigot took home first place honors in both the 50-yard freestyle (23.74) and the 100-yard freestyle (52.52).
Pedersen, who had a productive season last year for the Huskies as a freshman, topped all swimmers in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 57.21, and she tallied her second victory of the day in the 200-yard breaststroke, swimming it in 2:03.84. Parillo had a great debut for UConn as well, winning the 200-yard butterfly (2:03.30) and finishing second in the 200-yard medley relay (1:46.92) along with Pigot, Pedersen and sophomore Tara O’Prey (Ridley Park, Pa.).
Other Huskies to see quality times on Saturday were sophomore Sophie Nothnagle (Victor, N.Y.) and junior Laura Ruttan (Stittsville, Ontario). Nothnagle swam to a second place finish in the 200-yard butterfly, touching the wall in 2:03.91, and Ruttan posted an excellent time (2:23.67) in the 200-yard breaststroke to finish second in the event.
“Today was a very positive day for our women’s team,” UConn swimming coach Bob Goldberg said. There were some outstanding swims and we are excited for what is ahead for this team.”
The Huskies begin regular season action on Friday on the road against Villanova, as both the UConn men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will compete against the Wildcats. The meet is set to start at 5 p.m.
