Men’s and Women’s Swimming Split against University of New England

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College men's 200-meter medley and 800-meter freestyle relay squads both set a new school and pool record, while senior Emalee Furtek (Ludlow, Mass.) and junior Devon DeGrazia (Westport, Mass.) each clocked individual school records during Saturday afternoon's swim meet against the University of New England at Partyka Natatorium.

The men's team posted a 146-80 victory to improve to 7-2 on the season, while the women's team suffered a 150-111 loss and concludes the regular season with a record of 2-10 overall.

On the men's side, the team of freshmen James Grippo (Longmeadow, Mass.), Ethan Etheridge (Pawtucket, R.I.), junior Keegan Goan (Westbrook, Maine) and junior Aaron Starke (Chicopee, Mass.) powered to a time of 1:56.05 in the 200-meter medley relay, while the team of freshman Kyle Murphy (Holyoke, Mass.), seniors Mark Gehring (West Springfield, Mass.) and Jonathan Girard (West Springfield, Mass.) and freshman Andrew Pioggia (East Longmeadow, Mass.) swam to a time of 9:27.80 in the 800-meter freestyle relay – both squads setting new pool and school records in the process.

Etheridge won the 100-meter freestyle (58.20) and placed second in both the 200-meter freestyle (2:14.28) and the 50-meter breaststroke (35.53).

Grippo won the 50-meter backstroke (31.13) and the 400-meter freestyle (4:39.67) and placed second in the 100-meter backstroke (1:07.16), while Goan earned top honors in the 100-meter butterfly (1:01.88) and the 50-meter butterfly with a time of 27.55.

Murphy added a first place finish in the 200-meter freestyle after notching a time of 2:12.83 in the event. Starke placed first in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 26.68.

For the women, DeGrazia glided to three first place finishes which included a new school record in the 100-meter backstroke (1:11.68), and earned first place honors in the 50-meter freestyle (29.66) and the 400-meter freestyle (4:52.23).

Furtek touched the wall first in the 50-meter butterfly (32.92) and set a new school record with a third place mark in the 200-meter butterfly (2:56.66). She also placed third in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 1:09.16.

Senior Tessa Dudunake (Northampton, Mass.) rounded out the top individual performers for the Blazers, powering to three first place finishes in the 50-meter breaststroke (36.95), the 100-meter breaststroke (1:22.79) and the 100-meter individual medley (1:13.55).

The 200-meter medley relay team of senior Tricia Ruell (Chicopee, Mass.), Dudunake, Furtek and DeGrazia clocked a first place time of 2:15.25.

Both teams will be action at the three-day NEISDA Championships in White River Junction, Vt. on Feb. 8-10.