Bulldogs open season with dramatic win over Boston College

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's swimming and diving 400 free relay team won the final event of the afternoon to lead the Bulldogs to a dramatic 151-149 victory over Boston College on Sunday in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

The Bulldogs earned their third victory over the Eagles, a member of the ACC, in program history on Sunday thanks an all-around team performance. They posted seven individual victories in the pool and took home both diving events on the afternoon.

In the pool, sophomore Jillian Rice (Trumbull, Conn.) and freshman Alaina Scifo (Ipswich, Great Britain) each took home a pair of individual victories. Rice won the 50 free (24.42), the 100 free (53.63) and anchored the 400 free relay team to victory, posting a final 100 split of 52.60.

Swimming in her first collegiate meet, Scifo took home the 100 and 200 back events. She claimed the 100 back with a time of 1:00.02 and the 200 back with a time of 2:09.61.

The Bulldogs also got strong performances from freshman Eliza Brant (Hauppauge, N.Y.) and juniors Nicole Salzano (Elmwood Park, N.J.) and Mackenzie Kirk (San Jose, Calif.). Brant won the 200 breast (2:29.60) and finished second in the 100 breast (1:08.90) in her first collegiate meet. Salzano won the 1000 free with a time of 10:50.59 and Kirk won the 500 free with a lifetime best time of 5:18.83.

On the boards, sophomores Ann Burdick (Glenmont, N.Y.) and Kelci Abernethy (Chandler, Ariz.) swept the 1 and 3 meter events. Burdick won the 1 meter dive with a score of 219.90 and Abernethy won the 3 meter with a score of 220.80. Abernethy also finished second in the 1 meter and classmate Stephanie Jennings (Elmont, N.Y.) finished fourth. In the 3 meter, Burdick finished second and Carissa Stemen (Naples, Fla.) finished fifth.

The Bulldogs return to the pool on Friday, Oct. 21 when they travel to down Route 7 to face Providence College.