Schaefer claims bronze medal, Bulldogs finish third at NECs

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior Jamie Schaefer (Durham, N.C.) earned a bronze medal and the Bryant University women's swimming diving team wrapped up another outstanding performance in the Northeast Conference Championships on Saturday in Cambridge, Mass.

The Bulldogs finished the four-day event with 587 points, good enough for third place. Central Connecticut claimed the team title with 837 points, just beating out Wagner (813 points).

A day after finishing fourth in the 100 fly, Schaefer returned to the podium for the second time in her career in the 200 fly. She finished third with a school-record time of 2:03.95. Right behind her was classmate Lauren Doerrman (Oley, Pa.), who finished with a time of 2:04.46. Samantha Torrez (Whittier, Calif.) finished seventh (2:07.34) and Taylor Poliseno (Stevenson Ranch, Calif.) was ninth with a time of 2:07.47.

Bryant enjoyed a strong showing in the 200 back as they placed four in the A and B finals. Valeria Watson (Mexico City, Mexico) finished fifth with a time of 2:03.76, Elisabeth Schauer (Pelham, N.Y.) was ninth (2:04.84), Nicole Salzano (Elmwood Park, N.J.) was 12th (2:06.31) and Caitlin Hanahoe (Eden Prairie, Minn.) finished 14th with a time of 2:09.75.

In the 100 free, Mara Valenzuela (Bridgewater, N.J.) finished 12th with a time of 52.74. Kristie Chan (San Francisco, Calif.) was 14th with a time of 53.34 and Mackenzie Kirk (San Jose, Calif.) was 15th (53.69).

The Black and Gold also placed four in the finals of the 200 breast. Julia Messina (Canandaigua, N.Y.) finished fifth (2:19.71), Samantha Hilton (Fairfield, Conn.) finished eighth (2:25.05), Alexandra Morreale (Short Hills, N.J.) finished 11th (2:24.76) and Elizabeth Rose (Somerset, Mass.) finished 12th (2:29.44).

In diving, Allison Yennaco (Londonderry, N.H.) finished eighth with 171.35 points in the 3 meter dive. 

Bryant's other finalist on the night was Erin Daly (Reading, Mass.) in the 1650 free. She finished fifth with a time of 17:25.56.