Messina wins two events Saturday against UMass

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Senior Julia Messina (Canandaigua, N.Y.) won both breast events but the Bryant University women's swimming and diving team was unable to defeat the University of Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center Pool.

Messina put together a stellar afternoon, winning the 100 and 200 breast events. She won the 100 breast with a time of 1:08.62 and the 200 breast with a time of 2:30.88.

In addition to Messina's victories, the Bulldogs also received first-place nods from freshman Jillian Rice (Trumbull, Conn.) and sophomore Nicole Salzano (Elmwood Park, N.J.). Rice won the 200 free and Salzano grabbed first in the 200 back. Salzano also added a second-place finish in the 100 back.

Bryant also received a strong performance from Mackenzie Kirk (San Jose, Calif.) and Kristie Chan (San Francisco, Calif.). Kirk finished second in the 1000 free and Chan was second in the 50 free.

The Black and Gold's 400 medley relay also took home a first-place finish. Salzano, Messina, Dana Yu (Bridgewater, N.J.) and Rice combined to take the relay title.

Bryant will visit Boston University on Saturday, Jan. 23.