Day One Results
TROY, N.Y. – The Union College men’s and women’s swimming & diving teams came out dominant in the first day of competition at the Liberty League Swimming & Diving Championships, hosted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) at Robison Pool.
The Dutchmen, which claimed victory in five of six events on Friday, have 299 points heading into Saturday morning’s second session. They are followed by host Rensselaer (247 points), University of Rochester (230), Vassar (119), St. Lawrence (113), Clarkson (94) and Skidmore (62).
Union's women have amassed 320 points and hold an 88 point lead over the University of Rochester, who sit in second place with 232 points. Rounding out the field are Rensselaer (172.5 points), Vassar (157.5), St. Lawrence (143), William Smith (83), Skidmore (63) and Clakrson (58).
Several Liberty League records fell in the first day of competition, including in the 200-freestyle relay and the 500-freestyle. The Union foursome of Priscilla Wright (Wayland, MA/Wayland), Erica Fugger (Middletown, CT/Middletown), Maria Prendergast (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) and Kaleight Ahern (Charlton, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) shattered the women’s 200-freestyle relay record with a time of 1:39.46. The previous record of 1:41.36 was set in 2006 by the University of Rochester.
Vassar’s Emily Love (South Windsor, CT/South Windsor), who is already a Liberty League record holder in two events, added another record to her resume with a win in the 500-freestyle. Her time of 5:12.41 eclipsed the previous record of 5:14.31, which was set in 2005 by Rochester’s Kari Joyce.
In the diving events, Rensselaer swept the side as senior
Matthew Culen (Pelham, NY/Pelham Memorial) and junior
Kelsey Manley (Southbury, CT/Sacred Heart) each claimed victory in the men's 3-meter and women's 1-meter, respectively. Culen achieved an NCAA cut of 465.05 in winning the 3-meter event for the second straight season. Manley had a score of 350.80 points to win her event.
The championships continue on Saturday morning with the second session beginning at 9am. Action continues with the third and final session that evening, beginning at 4pm.