MEET NOTES: University of Vermont swimming and diving to battle Siena

The University of Vermont women’s swimming and diving team travels to Loudonville, New York for a dual meet with Siena on Saturday (Nov. 1) at 2 p.m. Check UVMathletics.com following the meet for results and a complete recap.

ABOUT VERMONT

The Catamounts evened their record at 1-1 following last weekend’s 157-143 dual meet victory over the 2013-14 America East Champions, New Hampshire. Vermont won nine events, including sweeps in the diving competition and relay events, and set a pool record in the 400 free relay en route to downing the Wildcats at Forbush Natatorium. Junior Maggie Preston took first place in both the 1-meter (209.45) and 3-meter (231.25) events to lead the Catamount divers. Junior Christa Weaver paced the Vermont swimmers, claiming the top spot in the 50 (24.38) and 100 (52.52) yard freestyle events.

Weaver continues to perform as one of the Catamounts’ top swimmers this year after earning all-conference honors last season. The junior has won both the 50 and 100 freestyle events in back-to-back meets, and has also been a part of four relay-winning squads, including two that set pool records.

Sophomore Courtney Gray has claimed the top spot in the 100 fly in each of the first two meets against Wagner and New Hampshire. Gray has accompanied Weaver on each of the four squads that have won relay events, including both the pool record-setting teams.

Freshman Shannon Cowley has emerged as one of the Catamounts’ top rookie swimmers, posting back-to-back wins in the 100 breaststroke in the first two meets. Cowley was also a member of the relay-winning squads in the 200 medley relay at both meets.

On the boards, Preston has claimed all three of Vermont’s victories in diving events this season. The junior posted first-place performances in both of the 3-meter events thus far, and also claimed the top score in the 1-meter vs. UNH.

POOL RECORDS

The Catamounts have already set a pair of new pool records in their opening two meets. Against Wagner, the relay team of Andie Blaser, Sarah Mantz, Courtney Gray and Christa Weaver combined to swim the 200 free relay in 1:37.50 to set a new Forbush Natatorium record. Last time out vs. UNH, the same relay squad posted a time of 3:30.90 in the 400 free relay to break the old pool record by nearly three seconds.

ABOUT SIENA

The Saints opened the season at the Catholic Invite hosted by Boston College, where they finished in seventh place out of eight teams. They followed that up with a win over Holy Cross (171-122) and a loss at Assumption (162-100) last time out. Siena is looking to improve upon last season, in which they finished fifth at the MAAC Championships.

Megan Grace has been the Saints’ top swimmer through the team’s first two dual meets, winning both the freestyle distance events at each of the meets. Grace posted her best times in the matchup with Holy Cross, swimming the 500 free in 5:20.21 and the 1000 in 10:53.84. Erica Askew has collected three victories in breaststroke events, including wins in the 200 versus both Holy Cross and Assumption.

In diving events, Hailey Beers has been the Saints’ top performer. The junior swept the diving portion in the meet with Holy Cross, posting scores of 248.05 and 235.55 in the 1-meter and 3-meter events, respectively.

NEXT UP

The Catamounts head to Orono for a meet with Maine and Boston College next Saturday (Nov. 8) at 11 a.m. UVMathletics.com will have results and a complete recap after the meet.

College Swimming News courtesy of the University of Vermont swimming and diving.

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About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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