University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
United States Naval Academy
Huskies Drop Dual Meet to Navy, LSU
10/6/2018 8:05:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The UConn swimming and diving team competed in its first meet of the season with a two-day event at the US Naval Academy. The Huskies lost 224.0-129.0 against Navy and 286.0-67.0 vs. LSU in the 38-event weekend.
"We are pleased with the season opening meet," said head coach Chris Maiello. "It was great to see your team in its entirety racing several events over a two-day format. We had many athletes post season-best times and are off to a strong start.
"Overall, I thought we had a productive weekend. We do have many things to work on in the future. Technical improvements and race strategy execution are always at the forefront in our sport and we did well in some areas and need improvement in others. I'm excited to get back to training. Navy and LSU are both quality programs, it was good to race them this weekend and it will make our team better in the long run," said Maiello.
Senior captain Monica Marcello returned from injury last season and highlighted the meet for the Huskies. Marcello recorded a 252.20 score in 1M to secure a third place finish and then followed it up with a runner-up finish in the 3M (303.70).
"This is too early in the season to assess a competitive list of whole dives," said head diving coach John Bransfield. "While there is merit in matchup up with good teams, the only true window for evaluation is to break dives down into skill components. Our kids hit some spots and missed on others... Gains made going forward are going to depend on athlete's ability to identify their strengths versus where more work is needed. The environment was great; the meet was a worthy litmus test for sure.
Ryan Dulaney started the season on a high noted by capturing a second place time of 10:26.74 in the 1000 Freestyle. The Naperville, Illinois native earned a fourth place finish in the 500 Free (5:03.20), which was a personal-best for the sophomore
Megan Wenman also recorded top-10 finishes in the 50 Free (24.33, 5th), 100 IM (59.61, 5th) 100 Free (53.16, 8th) and helped the 200 Free Relay team earn a third place finish. The team of Wenman, Jackie Van Lew, Jennie Novak and Brazil Rule raced to a 1:36.55.
Sophomore Georgia Apostolu landed in third in the 100 Back (57.24), seventh in 100 IM (59.97), seventh in 200 IM (2:09.44) and fifth in 200 Back (2:04.95).
Many Huskies participated in their first career meet and made a splash. Freshman Anna Mecca placed sixth in the 100 Breast (1:06.93) and sixth in the 200 Medley Relay (1:50.21). Lena Redisch captured a sixth place finish in the 500 Free.
Other first time Huskies to compete included: Katelyn Walsh (200 IM), Ali Grace (200 Fly), Linnea Anderson (200 Fly), Molly Franklin (200 Fly), Catherine Fazio (200 Back).
The Huskies return to action for its home opener against Southern Connecticut State on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Wolff-Zackin Natatorium beginning at 1 p.m.
Players Mentioned
