After a strong second day of competition, two-time defending champion Central Connecticut has assumed the lead at the NEC Swimming and Diving Championship being held on the campus of MIT in Cambridge, MA.
The Blue Devils have compiled 291.5 points with Bryant in second with 243 poiunts. Wagner rounds out the top three with a score of 204.5 heading into day three of competition.
Thursday’s slate featured finals in the 500 free, 200 individual medley, 50 free, 1-meter diving and the 200 free relay.
In the session-opening 500 free, Central Connecticut’s Aiden Devers (North Attleboro, MA/North Attleboro) earned the gold by completing the event in 4:54.87. Bryant’s Alyssa Difiore (Wethersfield, CT/Wethersfield) finished second in 4:57.59, while Saint Francis U’s Karilyn Quon (Tempe, AZ/Corona del Sol) touched third at 4:58.75
The 200 individual medley followed, featuring LIU Brooklyn’s Danielle Jeffries (Kihei, HI) winning gold. She swam the event in 2:03.05, nearly a second ahead of CCSU’s Maddy Garber (Milford, MA/Milford). Garber finished in 2:04:00 and Wagner’s Kelli Boston (Roseville, CA/Woodcreek) touched in 2:05.20 for bronze.
In a thrilling finish in the 50 free, LIU Brooklyn’s Briana Vega (Brooklyn, NY) finished just .02 seconds ahead of CCSU’s Christine Rasile (Branford, CT/Branford). Saint Francis U’s Katie Lafferty (Bremen, IN/Bremen) and CCSU’s Lauren Czulewicz (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) tied for bronze, finishing the race in 23.37 seconds.
The 1-meter diving competition lived up to the billing with the anticipated showdown between CCSU’s Annemarie Durham (East Lyme, CT/East Lyme) and Bryant’s Kelci Abernethy (Chandler, AZ/Perry). In the end, it was Durham who came out on top with 283.70 points, edging Abernethy, who was the runner-up with 280.80 points. Abernethy's teammate Ann Burdick (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem Central) took third with 258.65 points.
Thursday’s competition ended with the 200 free relay. CCSU took the crown and posted a new conference record in the process, finishing the event in 1:33.77. Czulewicz, Erika Maercklein (Branford, CT/Branford), Kaityln Troy (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central) and Rasile swam together to set the new NEC mark.
Wagner slid into second place, with Kirsty Hessing (Bloomington, IL/Normal Community), Kelsey Eastman (Effort, PA/Pleasant Valley), Andrea Gustafsson (Malmo, Sweden/ProCivitas Privata Gymnasium) and Anu Nihipali (Honolulu, IHI/Hawaii Preparatory Academy) combined for a time of 1:34.11 to take second. LIU Brooklyn finished third with a time of 1:34.40 thanks to Oleksandra Kashyrina (Odessa, Ukraine), Mads Carrigan (Overland, Park, KS), Katelyn Coleman (Lac La Biche, Alberta) and Vega.
The NEC Swimming and Diving Championship will resume on Friday at 10:00 a.m.
Team Results - Following Day Two
1. Central Connecticut 291.5
2. Bryant 243
3. Wagner 204.5
4. LIU Brooklyn 175
5. Saint Francis U 133.5
6. Sacred Heart 112.5
7. Mount St. Mary’s 98
8. St. Francis Brooklyn 70
