The Rutgers swimming and diving team concluded the Sonny Werblin Invitational on Saturday at the RU Aquatic Center. The Scarlet Knights combined their efforts for a total of 12 first place finishes out of 14 events, while sweeping the top-three spots in four events.
“I was very happy with this weekend’s performance,” said head coach Phil Spiniello. “We are off to a great start in both swimming and diving and I’m looking forward to even faster times and stronger dives. I am very excited for the season ahead.”
The Scarlet Knights kicked off the day grabbing the top two finishes in the 200 medley relay. The team of junior Joanna Wu (Kent,Wash.), sophomore Rachel Stoddard (Hillsborough, N.J.), freshman Karli Rymer (Long Branch, N.J.) and junior Julia Kudryashova (New Providence, N.J.) came in first with a time of 1:48.34. Following in second was the group of junior Morgan Pfaff (Red Lion, Pa.), freshman Larissa Neilan (Orange, Va.), junior Sophie Newton (Leesburg, Va.) and junior Sarah Coyne (Osceola, Ind.) with a result of 1:49.57.
Rutgers’ relay teams continued to see success, registering another first-place finish with Kiely, Leberfinger, Wu and sophomore Chantal Asselin (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) recording the top time of 1:38.41 in the 200 free relay. The team also claimed the top two spots in the 400 free relay.
The Scarlet Knights swept the top three spots in the 200 breast event. Senior captain Greta Leberfinger (Chatam, N.J.) glided into first with a time of 2:19.33. Her result bested the competition by over six seconds. Neilan and freshman Emily Erwin (Jenkintown, Pa.) notched the second and third spots, respectively. RU went on to claim first through third in the 100 breast as well.
Rutgers undoubtedly dominated the 100 fly. Rymer led the pack with the leading touch at 57.91. Wu and freshman Tommy Lee (Lindstrom, Minn.) rounded out the leaderboard placing second and third, respectively. Senior Lindsay Gibson-Brokop (Edmonton, AB, Canada) and Newton claimed fourth and fifth in the event.
The 400 I.M. was no different for the Scarlet Knights. Pfaff swam into first with the top time of 4:24.58. Leberfinger came in second (4:30.90), while Neilan finished third (4:42.58).
On the boards, freshman Addy Walkowiak (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) dove into first with a score of 289.28, followed by sophomore Alyssa Black (Middletown, N.Y.) with a 264.45 result.
Rutgers returns to action on Friday, Oct. 31, hosting Wagner for a dual meet at the RU Aquatic Center.
College Swimming News courtesy of Rutgers Swimming and Diving.
