Saturday saw the Rams lose for the first time this season vs Central Connecticut. Photo by James Singer.
The University of Rhode Island Swimming and Diving team suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday when they fell to Central Connecticut in a hotly contested matchup by a score of 149-143.
Despite the final results, there were several stellar performances from the Rams as they took home first in multiple events. Junior Michaela Degnan and Senior Brooke Kelley finished first in their respective individual swimming events; Degnan won the 100-yard backstroke, and Kelley was victorious in the 100-yard breaststroke. The 400-yard freestyle relay was also won by Rhody. The freestyle team was made up of Degnan, sophomore Camryn Kreuscher, freshman Mia Bonvissuto and junior Grace Kennedy.
A number of Rams finished on the podium in other events as well. Kelley finished second in the 200-yard breaststroke and Degnan placed second in the 200-yard backstroke. The 200-yard medley relay team, made up of Degnan, Kennedy, senior Rebecca Younts and junior Kristin Johnson also finished second in their race. Other results included sophomore Aimee Garcia finishing second in the 500-yard freestyle and senior Cara Megill placing second as well in the 1,000-yard freestyle.
The Rhody dive team was extremely successful, with Rams finishing in the top six spots in the 1-meter dive. Sophomore Isabella Antonini finished first, and senior Cameron Murray placed fourth. Murray also won the 3-meter dive, winning the event by a whopping 14 points, with a score of 215.
Ultimately, Central Connecticut was able to place first in 11 of the 14 events and this was enough to give them the 149-143 victory. The result ended Rhody’s two-meet winning streak and put them at 2-1 for the season. This is a season that has seen a two-month hiatus and inconsistent practice times for the Rams due to COVID-19. Regardless, Head Coach Mick Westkott said that he thought they showed a lot of toughness in the meet and is very excited about the team’s prospects for the rest of the season.
“We are now getting in the water almost every day. I can see everyone getting in better shape already,” Westkott said. “And these three meets have really helped to show us that all of our work isn’t for nothing and we can actually compete with anyone.”
Westkott credits his optimism and the team’s early success to perseverance and leadership.
“It would be really easy, in these times, to not be bought into the team this year,” Westkott said. “But we have great leadership and our seniors have done a great job of getting everyone bought in.”
Westkott also believes the team has gained a lot in terms of focus level and confidence from their first three meets.
The next meet, and last one before the Atlantic 10 Championship, will see the Rams take their first road trip as they head to Vermont on Saturday to face the Catamounts in another big matchup.