Ithaca Holds Slim Lead on Stevens After Day 2 at E8 Championships
Empire 8 Results (Day 2)
WEBSTER, N.Y. – Only 10 points separate Ithaca College and Stevens after the second day of competition at the Empire 8 Conference Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships in Webster, NY on Thursday. Ithaca has 436 points with the Ducks earning 426. E8 athletes achieved 10 NCAA B cut times on the day.
In the 200 Freestyle Relay, Stevens won for the seventh consecutive season. The Ducks’ team, which consists of April Lawson, Nicole Miller, Danielle Caruso, and Jenn Rutledge, finished in 1:37.42, 0.71 seconds ahead of second-place Ithaca and 1.09 seconds in front of third-place Alfred.
The 400 Individual Medley finals produced four NCAA B cut times from E8 athletes. Brittany Geyer of Stevens reclaimed the title after taking top honors in 2013. She registered a time of 4:27.24, a full five seconds in front of second-place Imma Rutigliano of Hartwick (4:32.38). 2014 champ Eliza Heinbach of Stevens and Grace Ayer of Ithaca were third and fourth, respectively.
Stevens went 1-2-3 in the 100 Butterfly. Freshman Sarah Jurczyk (56.61) edged out teammate and defending champion Maria McClure (56.90) for the title. Both met NCAA B qualifying standards. Duck senior Sharon Rooker placed third (59.40).
Danielle Caruso won her second title of this season’s championships and second straight crown in the 200 Freestyle event. Her B cut time of 1:52.99 bested Alfred sophomore Dylan Staniszewski (1:54.26) who took second, and Hartwick’s Rachel Bellis (1:55.17) in third.
The evening’s races came to a close with the 400 Medley Relay. Stevens came out on top in 3:52.91. Sharon Rooker, Brittany Geyer, Maria McClure, and Danielle Caruso combined for the victory. Ithaca and Hartwick took second and third, respectively.
Day three begins tomorrow with preliminaries at 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.
Day Two Standings:
Ithaca – 436
Stevens – 426
Hartwick – 251
Nazareth – 218
Alfred – 165
Utica – 79
Friday’s Schedule:
200 Butterfly
100 Backstroke
100 Breaststroke
1-Meter Diving
800 Freestyle Relay