Connecticut Men
The University of Connecticut men’s swimming and diving team sent its five seniors out on a high note after besting Dartmouth, 174-126, on Saturday in Wolff-Zackin Natatorium. The women’s team was also successful in defeating the Big Green, making it the perfect Senior Day for the Huskies. With the win, UConn finished its dual meet schedule with a record of 3-1 on the year.
The Huskies totaled 28 finishes in the top-three. Senior John Brice(Bala Cynwood, Pa.) swept the diving events, starting with 306.44 points on the one-meter platform and finishing with 361.20 points in the three-meter. Sophomore Daniel Kinney (Middletown, Conn.) checked in third on the one-meter behind 282.75 points. He came in second on the three-meter on 323.56 points, which qualified him for the NCAA Zone Meet.
On the swimming side, junior James Donlevy (Lake Grove, N.Y.) and senior Mike Lennon(Williston Park, N.Y.) each won a team-best two individual races. Donlevy topped the competition in two freestyle events, taking first in the 50 in a time of 21.14 and followed up by swimming the 100 in 46.57. Lennon won the 500-freestyle after he touched the wall in 4:38.87. He also led all swimmers in the 1650-freestyle (9:31.79).
UConn swept the 200-butterfly behind a 1:52.71 swim from senior Ryan Walsh (Monroe, N.Y.). Lennon was right behind him in a time of 1:53.73 followed by junior Chris Girg (Burbach, Germany), who touched the wall in 1:55.06. Other individual winners on Saturday were seniorsGreg Baliko (Fanwood, N.J.) and Jeff Magin (Brookfield, Conn.). Baliko checked in first in the 100-breaststroke in 58.33, while Magin swam to a win in the 100-backstroke (50.53). FreshmanMark Hunter (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) posted a time of 2:07.69 in the 200-breaststroke and also came in second in the 100-breaststroke (58.63).
Donlevy, Magin, Baliko and Walsh banded together for a first place finish in the 200-medley relay in a time of 1:32.37. Donlevy and Magin were a part of the 400-freestyle relay with freshman Luke Martin (Richmond, Va.) and sophomore Daniel Krentsa (Brookfield, Conn.) that came in second (3:07.78).
The Huskies return to action on Feb. 6 when they host the Husky Open, set for 10 a.m. at the Wolff-Zackin Natatorium. Admission is free for the event that will be Connecticut’s final home meet of the season.
Connecticut Women
The University of Connecticut women’s swimming and diving team sent its six seniors out on a high note after besting Dartmouth, 160-121, on Saturday in Wolff-Zackin Natatorium. The men’s team was also successful in defeating the Big Green, making it the perfect Senior Day for the Huskies. With the win, UConn finished its dual meet schedule with a record of 1-3 on the year.
The Huskies totaled 30 finishes in the top-three, which includes sweeping four different events. Sophomore Monica Marcello(Middletown, Conn.) kicked things off with an impressive diving performance as she took first on the one-meter platform with 307.64 points, which is a new pool record. Senior Taryn Urbanus (Quincy, Mass.) was second (280.20) and junior Alexandra Butera (Havertown, Pa.) was third (275.77). The trio also swept the three-meter competition in the same order with Marcello claiming the top spot behind 293.62 points.
On the swimming side, junior Christine Pedersen (Vinterbro, Norway) touched the wall in 58.19 to win the 100-backstroke with classmate Jaimie Lynn Brookover (Cherry Hill, N.J.) and freshman Annika Grewal (Oakville, Ontario) swimming the race in 58.41 and 58.46, respectively, for second and third. UConn also took the top-three places in the 200-IM, led by Grewal in a time of 2:10.96. Junior Margot Manning (Frederick, Md.) was close behind in 2:11.12, followed by senior Laura Ruttan (Stittsville, Ontario) in 2:12.66.
Grewal continued her impressive rookie campaign by also recording a win in the 200-backstroke after swimming it in 2:03.16. Pedersen claimed second in a time of 2:05.12. Other individual winners on Saturday were junior Sophie Nothnagle (Victor, N.Y.) and senior Laura Hyland (Southport, England). Nothnagle touched the wall in 2:04.32 to win the 200-butterfly, while Hyland earned first place in the 200-breaststroke after posting a time of 2:23.51.
Freshman Danielle Bordes (Alpharetta, Ga.) claimed the 100-butterfly after she swam the race in 58.38. Bordes and Pedersen joined freshmen Julie Hu (Wilton, Conn.) and Madeline Blair (Bethlehem, Pa.) for a first place finish in the 200-medley relay in a time of 1:48.39.
The Huskies return to action on Feb. 6 when they host the Husky Open, set for 10 a.m. at the Wolff-Zackin Natatorium. Admission is free for the event that will be Connecticut’s final home meet of the season.
