Villanova Sprinters Pave the Way for Last-Relay Win over UConn

2016 Big East Swimming and Diving Championship on Feb. 26, 2016 at Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow, New York.

Photo Courtesy: Villanova Athletics Media Relations

Villanova Sprinters Pave the Way for Last-Relay Win over UConn

Villanova’s sprinters took home valuable points in the 100 and 200 freestyle races, then won the 200 free relay to seal a 154-146 win over UConn on Saturday.

Villanova went 1-2 in the 200 free, Molly Benson winning in 1:53.85 and followed by Martina Lonati. Benson went 52.76 to edge teammate Alyssa McHale in the 100 free with Lonati fourth. Benson outsplit her UConn counterpart by .71 seconds on the second left of the 200 free relay as the Wildcats won in 1:36.36. Lainey Quinones, McHale and Lexi Elkovitch rounded out that quartet. Quinones and McHale finished second and third in the 50 free.

Audrey Pastorek won the 100 backstroke in 56.27, then took the 200 back in 2:01.76. She also won the 200 individual medley in 2:06.72. Katie White won the 200 fly in 2:03.05 and was second in the 100 fly. Winnie Jalet won the 200 breast after finishing third in the 1,000 free.

Villanova orchestrated a decisive swing in diving with Michelle Kasulka sneaking in to second on 1-meter to break the UConn blockade.

Niamh Hofland powered a late UConn charge. She won the 1,000 free to start the meet in 10:24.83. She then claimed the 500 free in 5:05.79, which was followed by Ella Epes winning the 100 fly. Hofland tried to rally on Pastorek in the 200 IM but settled for second.

UConn started the meet with a win in the 400 medley relay. Kayla Mendonca, Angela Gambardella, Epes and Maggie Donleavy went 3:51.66. Mendonca was second in both backstroke events. Gambardella won the 100 breast in 1:05.99 and was second in the 200 breast. Donleavy won he 50 free in 24.40 and was third in the 100. Julia Pioso swept both diving events, with teammates Ana Laura Faoro and Darah Ostrom following in 3-meter.

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