Posted: Nov 12, 2016

Men's Swimming Races Past Colby-Sawyer

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College men's and women's swimming team battled visiting Colby-Sawyer College in their 2016-17 home opener at Partyka Natatorium Saturday afternoon. The men's squad defeated the Chargers, 132-66, while the women's team fell to Colby, 89.5-166.5.

On the men's side, sophomore Michael Grippo (East Longmeadow, Mass.) set a pair of new school records with first-place finishes in the 50 meter backstroke (29.91) and the 100 meter backstroke (1:04.34), along with a second-place finish in the 50 meter freestyle (26.24). Senior Nick Cirillo (Gloversville, N.Y.) checked in first in the 200 meter freestyle (2:08.18) and the 400 meter freestyle (4:46.86), while classmate Ryan Burgos (Plaistow, N.H.) took first in the 200 meter breaststroke (2:43.83) and the 800 meter freestyle (9:54.56). Junior Nick Bergstrom (Derry, N.H.) nabbed a pair of first-place finishes in the 50 meter freestyle (25.50) and the 50 meter butterfly (28.74). Sophomore Patrick Gay (East Hartford, Conn.) placed first in the 100 meter butterfly (1:12.93) and second in the 50 meter butterfly (32.54). Freshman Paul Ferraro (Walpole, Mass.) grabbed a trio of third-place finishes in the 50 meter backstroke (37.11), the 400 meter freestyle (5:26.07), and the 800 meter freestyle (11:27.22). Freshman Joshua Guntly (Chicopee, Mass.) recorded a pair of third-place finishes in the 100 meter butterfly (1:19.70) and the 100 meter backstroke (1:18.52), while junior Tony Luciani (Agawam, Mass.) took third in the 200 meter freestyle (2:37.59). Sophomore Joseph Sutton (Suffield, Conn.) registered three fourth-place finishes in the 50 meter freestyle (36.23), the 100 meter freestyle (1:18.59) and the 200 meter freestyle (2:55.26).

For the women, junior Aislinn Carrier (Charlestown, Mass.) won the 100 meter freestyle (1:09.96), and took second in the 200 freestyle (2:37.91) and third in the 400 freestyle (5:47.96). Freshman Natalie Obando (Chicopee, Mass.) touched the wall first in the 50 meter butterfly (36.55), along with third-place finishes in the 50 meter backstroke (37.00) and the 100 meter backstroke (1:20.96). Freshman Kelly Scianna (Milford, Conn.) claimed a trio of second-place finishes in the 100 meter butterfly (1:21.43), the 100 meter individual medley (1:19.48), and the 400 meter freestyle (5:16.45). Sophomore Desiree Milar (Springfield, Mass.) posted a pair of second-place finishes in the 50 meter breaststroke (41.82) and the 50 meter freestyle (32.94). and came in third in the 100 meter breaststroke (1:32.36). Senior Kelly O'Connell (Monson, Mass.) finished second in the 800 meter freestyle (11:50.84) and third in the 100 meter butterfly (1:39.61), while freshman Julianne Gordon (Plaistow, N.H.) posted a second in the 100 meter freestyle (1:17.33). Senior Rebecca Carterud (South Windsor, Conn.) grabbed a pair of third-place finishes in the 200 meter freestyle (2:49.56) and the 100 meter freestyle (1:17.48).

The Blazers will return to the pool when they host Smith College at Partyka Natatorium Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.

ELMS SWIMMING