Bulldogs defeated by Vermont on Sunday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Nicole Salzano (Elmwood Park, N.J.) and Kelci Abernethy (Chandler, Ariz.) each took home first-place finishes but the Bryant University women's swimming and diving team fell to Vermont, 172-120, on Sunday afternoon in Burlington.

Salzano took home first place in the 200 back with a time of 2:07.59. She also finished second in the 100 back with a time of 59.90. Abernethy continued the outstanding start to her career with another diving victory. She scored 246.65 points to win the 3 meter and break her own school record in the event. Abernethy also finished second in the 1 meter with a season-high score of 237.44.

In addition to Abernethy's performance, the rest of the Bulldog divers all enjoyed a great afternoon. Ann Burdick (Glenmont, N.Y.) and Carissa Stemen (Naples, Fla.) finished 3-4 in the 1 meter dive, while all four divers set personal bests on the 3 meter. Stemen finished third with 216.53 points and Stephanie Jennings scored 210.15 points to finish fourth.

In the pool, Mackenzie Kirk (San Jose, Calif.), Julia Messina (Canandaigua, N.Y.) and Lauren Doerrman (Oley, Pa.) all earned second-place finishes. Kirk finished second in the 1000 free, Messina placed second in the 200 breast and Doerrman was second in the 500 free.

The Bulldogs will compete in the Harold Anderson Invitational this weekend at Rhode Island.