Take an inside look at the Dawgs' performance at America East Championships
SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University swimming & diving team wrapped up its 2023-24 season last week at the America East Championships with a second place finish on the men's side and a third place finish on the women's side.
By the Numbers
Over the course of the four day meet the Bulldogs earned 30 podium finishes, which included 11 gold medals. The men's squad picked up more golds than any other team at the meet by taking eight events. The men's relay teams were a highlight of the meet for Bryant as the Bulldogs placed in all five relay events on the men's side, totaling one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals in the relays.
Three members of the Black and Gold defended their 2023 titles in their respective events. Griffin Lajoie and Reagan Lord both did so in the 100 back while Leo Luna repeated in the 1650 free. Lord and Luna have won the gold in their events every year of their career so far.
Nine members of the team earned the first medal of their Bulldog career this year. On the men's side the athletes included Nick Andrews, Gustav Persson, James Misto, Christopher Buonocore, and Aidan Trenery. For the women, Elayna Pistrin, Marcella Figueroa, Megan Beasley, and Makayla Pearce grabbed their first medals.
The Black and Gold rewrote their record book at the championships. The team set 12 program records during the meet to bring their season total to 15 records broken. On top of that, Bryant athletes set 84 personal bests at the meet.
Notes and Notables
Chris Buonocore earned Diver of the Meet after taking gold in both the 1 and 3 meter events. The honor topped off Buonocore's outstanding sophomore season. The Long Beach, New York native earned America East Male Diver of the Week on five separate occasions this season.
Junior Reagan Lord set a conference, meet, and pool record as she successfully defended her 2023 title in the 100 back. Lord raced a 53.95 in the event to take the gold.
Bryant demonstrated major improvement on the team side this season. Both teams were in contention for titles throughout the course of the meet with the men coming within 13 points of first place at one point. The squads also closed the gap to first place significantly from last season. Last year the women's side finished second but were 169 points behind winners UNH. At the 2024 Championships, the women completed the week with only a 47.5 point difference. The men, on the other hand finished third in 2023 and were 240.5 points behind first place UMBC. In 2024, the men ended the meet as the runner-up by only 86 points to Binghamton.
Final Team Scores (Women)
- Vermont, 683
- New Hampshire, 671
- Bryant, 635.50
- UMBC, 466
- Binghamton, 439
- Maine, 374.50
- VMI, 126
Final Team Scores (Men)
- Binghamton, 795.50
- Bryant, 709.50
- UMBC, 518
- NJIT, 514.50
- Maine, 376.50
- VMI, 306