The University of Maine men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams both traveled to Rhode Island to open their seasons against the University of Rhode Island on Friday night, followed by a meet against Providence College Saturday morning.
Women’s team splits weekend
The UMaine women’s team fell Friday night to the Rams by a score of 181.5-118.5 before earning their first win of the season against the Providence College Friars 163-115.
The meet was dominated by Rhode Island fourth-year Chaya Zabludoff. Zabludoff took first in the 100-yard, 1000-yard, and 200-yard races. The Rams also took the top two spots in the 200-yard medley relay, helping them to a strong day in the pool.
The Black Bears were led by first-year Emma Pontius, who won three races on the day. Pontius had a great first collegiate meet, taking first in the 200 and 100-yard butterflies and the 200-yard individual medley.
The meet on Saturday was much kinder to the Black Bears. Fourth-year UMaine swimmer Naja Harvey took first place in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke.
Pontius continued her success in her second meet, winning the 200-meter butterfly.
Providence first-year Katherine Fallon took a pair of wins in the 400-meter freestyle and the 800-meter freestyles. A pair of Friars earned spots in the Big East Tournament, when first-year Meghan O’Connor and Kristen Noonan both qualified in the 100 meter butterfly and 200 backstroke, respectively.
Men’s swimming and diving sweep weekend
The Black Bears started their season out with a pair of wins over the weekend. The first was a victory against the University of Rhode Island before taking down the Providence College Friars 146-129.
Third-year Matt England and fourth-year Ryan Fahey led the way for the Black Bears, each capturing three events on the day.
UMaine third-year Cameron Dwyer won the 200 meter breaststroke and 200 butterfly to help UMaine win their first meet of the year.
The Black Bears got their second win on Saturday in a close meet. Friars fourth-year John Fatigati won a pair of races and took second in the 200 meter backstroke at 2:09:01, setting the Providence College school record.
UMaine was once again led by England, who took home four victories on the day. Second-year Nicholas Sundquist also took four first place finishes, helping carry the Black Bears to a fast 2-0 start.
The UMaine swimming and diving teams will have a week off before hosting the University of Vermont and Boston College Nov. 7 and Nov. 8.