Abernethy qualifies for Zones, Bulldogs in second after day 2 of NECs

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University women's swimming and diving sophomore Kelci Abernethy (Chandler, Ariz.) qualified for the Zone A meet in the 1 meter dive to highlight the second day of the Northeast Conference Swim & Dive Championships on Thursday.

The Bulldogs have accumulated 243 points over the first two days and currently sit in second place. Central Connecticut leads the way with 291.5 points, while Wagner sits in third with 204.5.

Abernethy's performance highlighted a dominant day for the Bulldogs on the boards. Abernethy broke the NEC meet record in the prelims but eventually earned a silver medal as CCSU's Annemarie Dunham outscored her by three points in the finals, 283.70-280.80. Still, Abernethy qualified for zones which is a meet in which divers compete to participate in the NCAA Championships.

Bryant finished 2-5 in the 1 meter dive as Ann Burdick (Glenmont, N.Y.), Stephanie Jennings (Elmont, N.Y.) and Ashley Lewis (Maple Valley, Wash.) followed Abernethy. Jennings qualified for the zones earlier this season.

In the pool, freshman Alyssa DiFiore (Wethersfield, Conn.) earned a silver medal in the 500 free as she posted a career-best time of 4:57.59. It was the first swim of her career at the championships. Bryant also had four others final in the event as Nicole Salzano (Elmwood Park, N.J.) finished sixth, Erin Daly (Reading, Mass.) finished eighth, Valeria Watson (Mexico City, Mexico) finished 11th and Mackenzie Kirk (San Jose, Calif.) finished 14th.

Bryant also had a strong showing in the 200 IM as three earned appearances in the 'B' final. Alaina Scifo (Ipswich, Great Britain) finished 10th, Eliza Brant (Hauppauge, N.Y.) finished 14th and Samantha Torrez (Whittier, Calif.) finished 16th.

Jillian Rice (Trumbull, Conn.) added an eighth-place finish in the 50 free, while Kayleigh Canavan (Cumberland, R.I.) also finaled, finishing 16th.