Freshmen shine in opener against Wagner

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's swimming team received an outstanding performance from its freshman class but was unable to knock off defending NEC champion Wagner on Friday, falling 150-109 in the season opener.

The Bulldogs (0-1), who finished second to the Seahawks (1-0) at last year's championships, were only able to obtain two first-place finishes on the evening.

One of those came from freshman Nicole Salzano (Elmwood Park, N.J.) in the 200 back. Salzano won the event with a time of 2:06.53. Right behind her was fellow rookie Valeria Watson (Mexico City, Mexico) with a time of 2:07.50. Salzano also went on to finish second in the 100 back (59.08), third in the 500 (5:17.81) and helped the 200 medley relay to a second-place finish. Watson went on to finish fourth in the 1000 free.

Top Performers

Freshman Mackenzie Kirk (San Jose, Calif.) finished second in the 200 IM (2:13.15) and fourth in the 100 free (55.24).

Junior Lauren Doerrman (Oley, Pa.) finished third in the 1000 (10:50.14), third in the 100 fly (2:14.53).

Junior Julia Messina (Canandaigua, N.Y.) finished third in the 100 breast (1:08.13) and the 200 breast (2:30.00).

The Bulldogs return to the pool next week when they compete against Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass.