Doerrman claims victory as Bulldogs complete final tune-up for NECs

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Lauren Doerrman's (Oley, Pa.) victory in the 400 IM highlighted a strong performance by the Bryant University women's swimming and diving team on Saturday at the UConn Invitational.

The non-scoring meet was the final tune-up for the Bulldogs before they compete in Northeast Conference Championships.

Doerrman, a favorite in the 400 IM at the NECs, won the event with a time of 4:41.42. Bryant also received strong showings from Mara Valenzuela (Bridgewater, N.J.), Nicole Salzano (Elmwood Park, N.J.), Alexandra Morreale (Short Hills, N.J.), Maisey Kent (Oakville, Ont.), Taylor Poliseno (Stevenson Ranch, Calif.), Valeria Watson (Mexico City, Mexico) and Julia Messina (Canandaigua, N.Y.).

Valenzuela finished 10th in the 50 free with a season-best time of 24.99. She also finished ninth in the 50 fly. Salzano finished eighth in the 50 back (28.78) and ninth in the 200 free (2:02.66), while Morreale finished fifth in the 100 breast (1:08.60) and fourth in the 50 breast (31.61). Kent was sixth in the 200 back (2:18.37), Poliseno finished ninth in the 100 free (55.22) and third in the 50 fly (27.01), Watson was eighth in the 100 back (1:01.16) and fourth in the 200 free (2:00.35) and Messina was seventh in the 50 breast (31.78) and fifth in the 200 breast (2:28.93).

The Bulldogs will now prepare for the NEC Championships that are scheduled for Feb. 25-28 at MIT in Cambridge, Mass.