Posted: Jan 06, 2016

Swimming Battles Bridgewater State

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College men's and women's swimming team battled visiting Bridgewater State University in a non-conference dual meet at Partyka Natatorium Wednesday afternoon. The Blazers men's squad fell, 150-99, while the women's team was defeated, 151-104.

On the men's side, junior Nick Cirillo (Gloversville, N.Y.) registered a trio of victories, winning the 100 meter freestyle (57.71), the 200 meter freestyle (2:05.69), and the 400 meter freestyle (4:40.57). Junior Ryan Burgos (Plaistow, N.H.) claimed first in the 800 freestyle (9:34.42), along with a pair of second-place finishes in the 50 meter breaststroke (35.74) and the 100 meter breaststroke (1:17.44). Senior James Grippo (Longmeadow, Mass.) took second in the 100 meter backstroke (1:10.26) and 400 meter freestyle (4:55.45), and fourth in the 100 individual medley (1:13.22). Freshman Kevin Corcoran (Southington, Conn.) grabbed second in the 200 freestyle (2:23.72) and the 50 meter butterfly (32.08), and third in the 100 meter butterfly (1:17.86). Freshman Michael Grippo (Longmeadow, Mass.) finished second in the 50 meter freestyle (27.00) and 100 meter freestyle (59.75), and third in the 50 meter backstroke (31.83). Sophomore DJ Sherman (Winstead, Conn.) notched a pair of third-place finishes in the 100 meter backstroke (1:12.17) and 100 meter individual medley (1:12.12), while freshman Patrick Gay (East Hartford, Conn.) took fourth in the 100 meter butterfly (1:22.20) and sophomore Tony Luciani (Agawam, Mass.) placed fourth in the 800 meter freestyle. In the 200 meter medley relay, the team of James Grippo, Sherman, Gay, and Luciani placed second with a time of 2:14.40. In the 200 freestyle relay, the team of Cirillo, Burgos, Corcoran, and Michael Grippo finished second at 1:48.53.

For the women, freshman Kayla Gurney (Wilbraham, Mass.) nabbed a pair of first-place finishes in the 50 meter backstroke (38.78) and 100 meter breaststroke (1:27.94). Senior Kim Panetta (Belchertown, Mass.) won the 100 meter individual medley (1:25.35), while taking second in the 50 meter butterfly (37.71) and third in the 100 meter freestyle (1:11.23). Sophomore Ashlee Connors (Springfield, Mass.) came in second in the 50 meter backstroke (37.54) and the 100 meter backstroke (1:23.12), while freshman Desi Milar (Springfield, Mass.) grabbed second in the 50 meter freestyle (32.09) and the 200 meter freestyle (2:42.71). Junior Kelly O'Connell (Monson, Mass.) finished second in the 800 meter freestyle (12:09.99) and third in the 400 meter freestyle (5:56.48). Senior Crystal Archibald (Portland, Maine) was third in the 50 meter breaststroke (42.47), junior Rebecca Carterud (South Windsor, Conn.) placed third in the 800 meter freestyle, freshman Jacqueline Given (Arlington, Mass.) registered a third-place finish in the 200 meter freestyle (2:59.75), and freshman Amanda Rotberg (Rowley, Mass.) took third in the 100 meter backstroke (1:33.58). Senior Miranda Pratt (Southington, Conn.) placed fourth in the 200 meter freestyle (3:23.94), while sophomore Rachael Coleman (West Hartford, Conn.) finished fourth in the 50 meter freestyle (34.93) and the 400 meter freestyle (6:28.00). In the 200 medley relay, the team of Connors, Gurney, Panetta, and Milar finished second with a time of 2:23.13. In the 200 meter freestyle relay, the team of Given, Coleman, O'Connell, and Carterud grabbed third with a time of 2:28.69.