Three B-Cuts on Day One
Day One Results
The first day of the Empire 8 Swimming and Diving championships is in the books and the Ithaca Bombers won two of four events while Alfred University claimed one event and Stevens Institute of Technology claimed the other.
For the eighth straight time, a Stevens athlete earns the title in the 500 freestyle. Junior Danielle Caruso won the event for the third straight year with a B-Cut time of 5:00.46, missing the E8 meet record of 4:59.63 by less than a second. She beat out Nazareth junior Camerson Hess (5:04.01) and Hartwick junior Rachel Bellis (5:07.85).
Ithaca junior Grace Ayer won her third consecutive title in the 200 Individual Medley. Her time of 2:06.10 was a slim .78 seconds faster than Hartwick's Imma Rutligliano (2:06.88). Both time met the NCAA B-cut. Stevens sophomore Sarah Jurczyk placed third in 2:09.66.
In the finals of the 50 freestyle just .23 seconds separated the top three Empire 8 athletes. Alfred senior Kelsey McRill touched the wall first to claim the victory in 24.39. It's the second straight year and second time ever an Alfred athlete as won the event. Ithaca senior Megan Zart and Stevens Jenn Rutledge tied for second (24.62).
Ithaca claimed the title in the 200 Medley Relay to cap off the evening. Ayer, Sam Reilly, Zart and Lauren Cox (1:46.13) were almost three full seconds faster than Stevens quartet of Clair Hendershot, Laurie Prinz, Jurczyk and Rutledge (1:49.02). Hartwick was third (1:50.21).
Competition continues tomorrow at Ithaca's Athletics & Events Center Aquatics Pavilion with prelims at 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.
Team Scores
Ithaca - 194.5
Stevens - 160.5
Hartwkc - 116
Nazareth - 74
Alfred - 72
Utica - 38
Thursday's Schedule:
200 Freestyle Relay
400 Individual Medley
100 Butterfly
200 Freestyle
400 Medley Relay
1-Meter Diving