DALLAS, Pa. – The Ursinus College women's swimming team had a strong showing on the second day of the Cougar Splash on Saturday afternoon at Misericordia University.
Through two days of competition, Ursinus sits in second place in the six-team field with 380 points. The University of Scranton leads with 429.5 points, while host Misericordia University is third with 307.5. Ramapo College (177), Susquehanna University (163) and Juniata College (135) round out the field.
Ursinus opened Friday's events with a first-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle, as first-year
Caelan Ladd touched the wall in 5:03.70, defeating the field by nearly 10 seconds. Ladd's time, just shy of her career best, ranks third in program history. Senior
Sara Bozzomo finished fifth in the event at 5:18.18.
In the 200-yard individual medley, juniors
Morgan Valeriano and
Melanie Hahn posted the top two times, with Valeriano winning in 2:08.13 and Hahn finishing second in 2:13.13. During the 50-yard freestyle, first-year
Isabella Warren placed sixth in 25.52 seconds, while classmate
Lindsay Willis was 10th in 25.64.
Ursinus closed the first day with a second-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay. The quartet of Ladd, Valeriano, Warren and Bozzomo combined for 1:49.96. Ladd carried her momentum into Saturday morning, winning the 400-yard individual medley in 4:31.39, the second-fastest time in program history. Valeriano (4:36.77) and first-year
Kendell Goelz (4:52.57) finished second and fifth, respectively.
In the 200-yard freestyle, Bozzomo (1:58.18) and Hahn (1:58.20) earned two top-three finishes, contributing 25 points for the Bears. Ursinus wrapped up the Saturday morning session with a second-place finish in the 400-yard medley relay. Ladd, Valeriano, Goelz and Hahn combined for 4:02.35.
During the Saturday evening session, sophomore
Maria Wehmeyer placed fourth in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:02.21, while first-year
Riley Smith was sixth in 1:03.25. Ursinus claimed first in the 800-yard freestyle relay as Ladd, Bozzomo, Hahn and Valeriano touched the wall in 7:51.20.
The Bears return to action Sunday morning for the final day of competition at the Cougar Splash, starting at 9:30 a.m.
Top Results:
200 Medley Relay – Ladd, Valerinao, Warren, Bozzomo (2nd, 1:49.96)
200 Freestyle Relay – Bozzomo, Hahn, Willis, Warren (3rd, 1:41.08)
400 Medley Relay – Ladd, Valeriano, Goelz, Hahn (2nd, 4:02.35)
800 Freestyle Relay – Ladd, Bozzomo, Hahn, Valeriano (1st, 7:51.20)
Caelan Ladd – 500 Free (1st, 5:03.70, 3
rd all-time in program history), 400 IM (1st, 4:31.39)
Sara Bozzomo – 500 Free (5th, 5:18.18), 200 Free (2nd, 1:58.18)
Morgan Valeriano – 200 IM (1st, 2:08.13), 400 IM (2nd, 4:36.77)
Melanie Hahn – 200 IM (2nd, 2:13.13), 200 Free (3rd, 1:58.20)
Isabella Warren – 50 Free (6th, 25.52), 100 Fly (10th, 1:02.35)
Lindsay Willis – 50 Free (10th, 25.64)
Kendell Goelz – 400 IM (5th, 4:52.57), 200 Fly (5th, 2:16.39)
Sylvi Lynch – 100 Fly (5th, 1:01.58), 200 Fly (4th, 2:14.87)
Maria Wehmeyer – 100 Back (4th, 1:02.21)
Riley Smith – 100 Back (6th, 1:03.25)
Maya Bowen Nesbit – 100 Back (8th, 1:04.23)
Mia Tamburrino – 100 Breast (6th, 1:11.98)
