Bulldogs defeat URI for first time ever

WOMEN'S SWIMMING EARNS FIRST-EVER WIN OVER URI, 144-118

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Senior Casey Ostrander (Yarmouthport, Mass.) won three individual events and three other Bulldogs took home firsts as the Bryant University women's swimming and diving team defeated the University of Rhode Island, 144-118, on Saturday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center Pool.

The victory is the first in program history for the Black and Gold (6-2) over the Rams (4-2). Last weekend, the Rams won the Harold Anderson Invitational, scoring 308 more points than the Bulldogs.

The reigning Northeast Conference Swimmer of the Week, Ostrander had another outstanding day in the pool, taking home three individual firsts to help the Bulldogs overcome an early deficit. She won the 50 back (27.41), 50 free (24.29) and the 100 back (58.25).

Bryant received other first-place finishes from freshmen Dana Yu (Bridgewater, N.J.) and Julia Messina (Canandaigua, N.Y.), and junior Taylor DeBever (Denver, Colo.). Yu won the 100 fly with a time of 1:00.29, Messina won the 50 breast with a time of 31.04 and DeBever won the 100 free with a time of 53.75. DeBever also helped the Bulldogs win the 200 free relay with a time of 1:40.71. Junior Kaitlin Buckley (Duxbury, Mass.), sophomore Mara Valenzuela (Bridgewater, N.J.) and freshman Kristie Chan (San Francisco, Calif.) joined in the victory.

The Bulldogs will now have nearly a month off before heading to Puerto Rico for their annual winter training trip in January.