Meet Results
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – West Chester University’s women’s swimming squad easily outdistanced host Shippensburg, 191-70 in the season opener for both programs at Donald Miller Pool Friday evening.
West Chester received a triple-winning effort from sophomore Amelia Buckley and a double-win from Megan Winslow while laying claim to the top three spots in three other events, displaying the team’s dominance. Buckley captured the 50-yard breaststroke in 31.71 seconds while touching the wall first in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.41) and the 200 Individual Medley (2:14.45). Winslow won both backstroke events, taking the 50 back in 28.44 seconds and the 100 back in 1:01.12.
In all, West Chester won 11 of the 14 events in the season opener as the Golden Rams begin defense of their five straight conference titles. Both relays on Friday were winners as well. The 200 medley relay started off the meet with a first-place showing in 1:51.35. West Chester claimed three of the top four spots in that relay event. Winslow, Buckley, Leah Varvaro and Lauren Carastro made up that winning foursome. The 200 free relay concluded the meet with a winning time of 1:41.70. Mia Barone, Alexis Walley, Codyanne Murtaugh and Kenzie Deubler were a part of that relay.
Walley won the 1000 free, touching the wall in 10:35.51. She led a parade of three Golden Rams to the finish line as Murtaugh (10:41.96) and Kacie McNichol (10:45.96) followed suit. Barone won the 200 free in a time of 2:00.72 with Carastro right behind her in 2:01.43.
Varvaro was the first of four Golden Rams to touch in the 100 butterfly. She won the event with a time of 59.21. Walley (1:00.95), Christie Stern (1:02.74) and Lauren Keenan (1:02.77) were all behind her.
Murtaugh won the 500 free (5:12.90) while Stern was a winner in the 50 fly (28.17). West Chester claimed spots three thru five in the latter race.
Behind Buckley in the 200 IM was Carastro (2:16.90) and McNichol (2:17.09). Dani Dougherty earned a pair of runner-up plaudits behind Buckley in the 50 breaststroke (32.02) and the 100 breaststroke (1:09.96). West Chester swimmers also took fourth thru seventh in the 100 breaststroke.
West Chester returns home next Friday night when Division I Lehigh come calling to Graham Natatorium on South Campus.
