Richmond vs Villanova (Women)
- January 12, 2024
- Villanova, Pa.
- SCY (25 yards)
- Results
Courtesy: Richmond Athletics
Villanova, Pa. – The University of Richmond swimming and diving program ended their second day in Eastern Pennsylvania with a 150-150 tie against Villanova on Friday.
The day was opened with the 400 medley relay where Caroline Weldon, Presley Baber, Keirlyn Mullica and Caitlyn Hughes claimed the 2nd place finish at 3:53.90.
Richmond excelled in the 1000 free once again after earning the top three spots in Thursday’s competition against La Salle. Megan Carson grabbed the 1st place finish against Villanova with a mark of 10:28.54. Natalie Stuart followed close behind at 10:39.93, taking 3rd.
Katelyn Pennell (1st– 56.83) and Caroline Weldon (2nd – 56.93) controlled the 100 back event.
Presley Baber took the top spot for the Spiders in the 100 breast at 1:07.68 for 2nd place.
Melissa Nwakalor dominated the 50 free with a finish of 23.72 for 1st place. Her successful freshman year continues to grow with impressive performances.
The Spiders took control of the 200 back as Caroline Weldon took 1st place at 2:06.02 and Katelyn Pennell took 2nd at 2:06.14.
Laura Davis fought strong in the 200 breast, earning 1st place with a time of 2:24.23.
Richmond held off the Wildcats in the 500 free as Megan Carson grabbed another 1st place finish on the day at 5:06.35 and Alexa Connors finished in 3rd at 5:11.70.
Katie Chignell used her versatility in the 400 IM, taking 1st place at 4:30.77. Laura Davis finished soon after at 4:31.78, ending in 3rd.
Richmond swimmers finished their day in the 200 free relay where Lucy Yeomans (24.84), Melissa Nwakalor (23.34), Julia Krichev (23.57) and Caitlyn Hughes (23.72) joined forces to take the 1st place victory over the Wildcats (1:35.47).
Lola Dragosavac led the Spider diving group against Villanova, taking 1st place in the 1 mtr competition with a score of 248.33.
Up next, Richmond will host JMU on January 27 at the Robins Center.
Courtesy: Villanova Athletics
VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova Women’s Swimming and Diving tied Richmond, 150-150, in first competition of the new year Friday from the Villanova Swim Complex.
Led by seven event wins, the Wildcats equaled the Spiders on the scoreboard at 150 through 16 events. Upperclassman in graduate students Maggie Kleinsmith and Lauryn Johnson along with sophomore Katie White led way for the ‘Cats.
Kleinsmith recorded two event wins and one runner-up performance. The Mount Kisco, N.Y. native won the 100 backstroke tapping the wall at 1:06.92 and joined forces with senior Audrey Pastorek, junior Lainey Quinones and freshman Martina Lonati in the 400 medley relay that clocked 3:53.58 to best the field. Kleinsmith also finished second in the 200 breaststroke in 2:24.65. Johnson went on to 200 freestyle clocking in at 1:53.80, followed by Lonati in 1:54.52. White led the 1-2-3 finish in the 200 butterfly finishing in 2:03.49, followed by freshman Anna Farley and sophomore Arabella Lee in 2:06.87 and 2:09.17 respectfully. The Lakeville, Ma. native also finished second in the 500 freestyle clocking in at 5:07.82.
In the 100 butterfly, Lee led another event sweep clocking in at 56.33, just ahead of Lonati (57.65) and Farley (58.33) in second and third. Lontati continued her dominance finishing second in the 100 freestyle (53.58) just behind fellow freshman Alyssa McHale in first with a time of 52.37.
From the platform, freshman Michelle Kasukla had a strong outing finishing first in 3-meter and second in 1-meter diving events. The Chappaque, N.Y. native scored 237.07 in 3-meter just ahead of sophomore Miriam Danzis (235.81) and freshman Katie Vaughn (230.70) in second and third. The Wildcats secured a 2-3-4 finish in 1-meter courtesy of Kasukla (234.67), Vaughn (231.00), and freshmen Meghan Scott (224.48). Vaughn recorded a new personal best mark in both 1-meter and 3-meter while Scott bettered her personal best in 1-meter by over six points.
Other notable performances came by way of junior Francesca Raimondi, freshman Peri Gaguzis and Farley. Raimondi was the top Wildcat finishing third in the 200 backstroke tapping the wall at 2:10.04. A pair of runner-up performances were secured by Gaguzis in the 1000 freestyle (10:35.09) and Farley in the 400 IM (4:31.25).
The Villanova men compete Saturday at Providence with action from the Taylor Natatorium beginning at 12 p.m. while the Women will take on Rutgers Saturday January 20th.
