LIBERTY VS UNC ASHEVILLE
- January 16-17, 2026
- Asheville, N.C.
- SCY (25 yards)
- Results
Courtesy: Liberty Athletics
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Liberty swimming & diving team opened up the 2026 portion of their season with a 195-119 win over UNC Asheville, in a two-day meet which wrapped up on Saturday at Justice Center Pool.
The Lady Flames improve to 5-0 on the season, while UNC Asheville falls to 4-2. Prior to today’s loss, the Bulldogs had won each of their last 16 home meets in a row, dating to Oct. 2020.
Liberty Event Winners
- 200 medley relay – 1:43.80 (Dakota Howard – 26.32; Aly Bozzuto – 28.82; Kamryn Cannings – 24.87; Natalie Colarossi – 23.79)
- Fr. Gwyneth Frick – 200 backstroke (2:01.61)
- So. Aly Bozzuto – 200 breaststroke (2:19.97)
- Fr. Dakota Howard – 100 freestyle (52.13)
- Jr. Kamryn Cannings – 100 butterfly (56.29)
- 200 freestyle relay* – 3:28.46 (Aly Bozzuto – 52.34; Natalie Colarossi – 52.95; Dakota Howard – 51.76; Kamryn Cannings – 51.41)
*-contested as exhibition
Notable
- For the weekend, Liberty won 15 out of 19 events. UNC Asheville’s four wins came courtesy of Anna Marcotti (50 free, 200 free) and Anna Kate Halligan (500 free, 400 IM).
- Liberty received two individual-event victories each from Aly Bozzuto (100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke), Gwyneth Frick (200 IM, 200 backstroke) and Dakota Howard (100 backstroke, 100 freestyle).
- UNC Asheville’s Anna Kate Halligan won the closest race of the day, winning the 500 free in 5:06.27 to edge out Liberty’s Emma Herrera (5:06.77).
- Liberty took a 1-2-3 finish in the 200 backstroke, with Gwyneth Frick (2:01.61) followed by teammates Malia Francis (2:06.33) and Sadie Stricklin (2:07.67).
- Aly Bozzuto remained unbeaten in the 200 breaststroke during dual meets this season, winning in 2:19.97.
- Howard (52.13) and teammate Natalie Colarossi (53.26) took first and second, respectively, in the 100 freestyle.
- With the outcome decided, Liberty competed the last two events as exhibitions.
Historically Speaking
- Liberty is 8-2 all-time against UNC Asheville in head-to-head dual meets.
- The Lady Flames hold a 47-6 all-time dual meet record in North Carolina.
Up Next
The Lady Flames will host Campbell for a two-day dual meet to end their regular-season schedule, Jan. 23-24, at Liberty Natatorium.
Courtesy: UNCA Athletics
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville Women’s Swimming and Diving honored its 2026 Senior Class at the Justice Center on Saturday (Jan. 17), while wrapping up its two-day dual meet against Liberty. The Bulldogs fell 195-153, marking the end of the 16-dual meet winning streak inside the Justice Center dating back to Oct. 2020.
Seniors Beatrice Cocconcelli, Gracelyn Cox, Haley Fein, Ava Kilpatrick, Ann53a Marcotti and Tess Peny were honored prior to the final home meet of the season.
Anna Kate Halligan posted wins for the Bulldogs in the 500 free (5:06.27) and the 400 IM (4:28.85), while Celine Petruschke posted a season-best time of 5:15.51 in the 500 free. Gracie Hunt (53.82) and Madden Weir (56.44) each registered season-best times in the 100 free, while Gianna Riffel posted a season-best 57.91 in the 100 fly.
“It has been such a blessing to be part of a team that is so committed to each other!” said senior Ava Kilpatrick. “What started as coaches, trainers and teammates quickly evolved into a family. I am so proud of all of the hard work and dedication the seniors have put in over the past four years. I am forever grateful to be Bulldog swimmer!”
“We’re so proud of our senior class for wrapping up their dual meet season!” said head coach Elizabeth Lykins. “And a special congratulations to Ava for completing her collegiate swimming career!”
The Bulldogs (4-2, 2-0 ASUN) return to action Feb. 18-21 at the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships in Orlando, Fla.
