Results
LANCASTER, Pa. – The Ursinus College Women's Swimming team opened their 2023-24 season at the Centennial Conference quad meet featuring Franklin & Marshall, Dickinson College, and Washington College.
 
 
The Bears finished with a 2-1 record after defeating Dickinson College (160-99) and Washington College (161.5-88.5) but were edged by Franklin & Marshall 132-128. Senior Melissa Leonard shined in her season debut recording victories in the 500 free (5:18.80), 1000 free (10:49:24), and 200-yard backstroke (2:07.91).
 
 
Junior Katie Barlow swam the fastest time in the 200-yard freestyle (2:00.73) and earned a second-place finish with a time of 2:38.62. Senior Alexandra Zelinske recorded the top-time in the 100-yard Backstroke (1:01.95) and a third-place finish in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:17:63.
 
 
First-year Morgan Valeriano tallied two second place finishes in her collegiate debut, earning the second fastest time in the 100-yard freestyle (56:16) and 200-yard IM (2:17.78). Meanwhile, classmate Melanie Hahn earned third place finishes in the 200 IM (2:18:59), 100-yard freestyle (57:07), and 200-yard freestyle (2:02.74) events.
 

Sophomore Sara Bozzomo took third place in the 50-yard freestyle behind a time of 26:15. The quartet of Bozzomo, Barlow, Leonard, and Valeriano tallied a first place in the 400-yard freestyle relay behind a time of 3:44:34. Ursinus also collected the second fastest time in the 200-yard Medley Relay, as Zelinske, Barlow, Valeriano, and Bozzomo combined for a time of 1:55:16.
 
 
Junior Molly Stevens collected a third-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly and a fifth-place finish in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:07:32. First-year Sylvi Lynch finished sixth in the 100 Fly with a time of 1:05:38.
 
 
Ursinus will return to action Saturday, October 28^th as they celebrate Homecoming with their home opener against York College starting at 1 p.m.


Top Performances: 
Melissa Leonard -1000 free (1^st, 10:49.24), 200 yard back (1^st, 2:07.91), 500 free (1^st, 5:18.80)
Katie Barlow- 200 free(1^st, 2:00.73), 200 breast (2^nd, 2:38.62)
Melanie Hahn- 200 free (3^rd,  2:02.74), 100 free (3^rd, 57.07), 200 IM (3^rd, 2:18.59)
Alexandra Zelinske- 100 back (1^st, 1:01.95), 200 back (3^rd, 2:17.63)
Sara Bozzomo- 50 free (3^rd, 26.15)
Molly Stevens- 100 Fly (3^rd, 1:02.74)
Morgan Valeriano- 100 free (2^nd, 56.16), 200 IM (2^nd, 2:17.78)