The University of Rhode Island’s swimming and diving team continued their strong start to the season with a home win over the University of Maine, 171.5-124.5, on Friday at the Tootell Aquatic Center.
The meet was the site of URI triumph, both individual and team, as the day was highlighted by continued dominance of some upperclassmen, freshmen success and a comeback story as the Rams displayed a balanced and deep team both in the pool and off the board.
Maine proved formidable early, winning the opening event, the 200-yard medley relay, coming in just before URI’s duo of senior Bridget Whalen and junior Hannah Homans. The Rams would never look back though, as they proceeded to outperform for much of the remainder of the competition.
The Rams’ big day commenced when junior Sydney Williams, who competed in her first event since missing her entire sophomore season due to injury, raced to a victory in the 1000-yard freestyle, clocking in more than three seconds faster than second-place finisher and teammate Sabrina Anderson. It was a proud moment for Williams, but also head coach Mick Westkott who knows how hard she worked to get back to top form.
“It’s a huge boost for her confidence to have a race like that,” Westkott said. “She’s gotten back in the groove now and should be good for us going forward.”
URI continued to garner momentum throughout the afternoon, as senior Lauren Folkert added to her torrid start with a win in the 200-yard backstroke for a team-high fourth solo win of the season. Homans placed second, and won the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58.50, this time besting Folkert who came in right behind at 59.26. Carly DeLiberty rounded out a successful URI outing in the backstroke with a win of her own in another 200-yard heat.
The upperclassmen helped put URI in favorable position for victory, and were aided by the contributions of several underclassmen. Caitlin Guccione and Emma Grace Pecha recorded their first victories by prevailing in the 200-yard butterfly and 500-yard freestyle, respectively. Fellow classmate Katy Evans joined in on the celebration by getting her first taste of victory with a top score of 217.65 in the 3-meter dive.
Coach Westkott was pleased with the emergence of some of his new swimmers and knows how important their continued development will be in crafting a balanced and deep team, capable of exceeding their projected eighth place finish in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches Poll.
“They helped out a great deal,” Westkott said. “They’ve really bought into what we do here, with the team chemistry. We have been able to fill out our depth in butterfly and distance freestyle. What’s important is that they have been willing to do the right thing.”
In addition to Evans’ victory, junior Maria Smirnov also found success on the diving board, winning the 1-meter dive. The two victories were the first in diving this season for URI.
The Rams rode the collectively strong team performance to a comfortable win to improve to 2-0 on the season. Westkott is hoping that his swimmers will continue to progress as they look to find the consistency that had been missing last season. He is hoping that by hiring new assistant coach Lilli Falconer, who is one of URI’s most decorated swimmers and the 2010 A-10 Most Outstanding Performer, will help facilitate the growth and improvement of his team.
“Her values are really strong,” Westkott said. “She knows the values of the program, and has been a big part of it. She knows what it takes and gives others the belief that they can do it too.”
URI will stay home where they will host the United States Coast Guard Academy and Springfield College in the Ed and Judy Golden Invitational this Saturday starting at 1 p.m.