Bulldogs fall to URI on Saturday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Mara Valenzuela (Bridgewater, N.J.) won the 100 free on Saturday but the Bryant University women's swimming and diving team fell to visiting Rhode Island, 146-111, at the Chace Athletic Center Pool.

The meet was the final competition for the Bulldogs before exams and holiday break. They will return to the pool when they head to Puerto Rico for their annual winter training trip.

On Saturday, Valenzuela captured a first-place finish for the Bulldogs against a very strong URI team. She won the event for the third time this season with a time of 54.35. Valenzuela also finished third in the 200 free with a time of 1:59.60 and third in the 50 free with a time of 25.49.

The Bulldogs also received a first-place finish from freshman Nicole Salzano (Elmwood Park, N.J.). The rookie won the 200 back with a come-from-behind effort, touching the wall first with a time of 2:07.56. Salzano also went on to win the 100 back with a time of 1:00.15.

Bryant's other top performer on Saturday was junior Julia Messina (Canandaigua, N.Y.). Messina finished second in the both the 100 and 200 breast. She recorded a time of 1:08.45 in the 100 and a time of 2:29.20 in the 200.