FINAL SCORE: Vermont 174, Boston College 126 | FINAL SCORE: Vermont 174, Army 126
FINAL SCORE: Vermont 159.5, Stony Brook 140.5 | Results
WEST POINT, N.Y. – The University of Vermont swimming and diving team opened the 2010-11 season on Friday night, sweeping a four-team meet at Army. In their opening meet of the season, the Catamounts topped Boston College (174-126), host Army (174-126) and America East rival Stony Brook (159.5-140.5). Sophomore
Kailey Gardner (Ithaca, N.Y.) led Vermont with three wins on the night.
“This was a total team effort tonight and I am very proud of them,” said Vermont head coach Gerry Cournoyer. “Everyone stepped up and they accomplished this together over much improved Stony Brook and Army squads. At one point Stony Brook closed the meet to within two points, but the team stayed poised and focused to pull it out.”
Gardner was victorious in the 500 (5:07.74) and 1,000 (10:29.47) freestyle events, while also earning the top spot in the 200 IM (2:10.92). Senior
Kate Weaver (South Burlington, Vt.) won the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:54.70, junior
Avery Pittman (Raleigh, N.C.) took first in the 200 butterfly in 2:09.29 and sophomore
Melissa Wheeler (Roanoake, Va.) won the three meter dive (208.25).
The Catamounts were also victorious in the 200 medley relay, as the team made up of
Emily Alexander (Stittsville, Ontario),
Emily Metta (Norwood, Mass.), Pittman and
Hannah Center (Chevy Chase, Md.) finished in a time of 1:50.24, just .04 seconds ahead of Army. Junior
Katie Heenan (Clarendon Hills, Ill.) also provided Vermont with valuable points by finishing third in both the 500 and 1,000 freestyle events.
The Catamounts return to action on Saturday, October 16 when they travel to face Northeastern starting at 12 p.m.
NOTES: The Catamounts have now swept their opening meet of the season in each of the last two years … UVM has defeated Stony Brook in each of the last five years, Army in three straight seasons and Boston College in each of the last two … A young team, the Catamounts have only four seniors on their roster this season … Friday was the season-opening meet for Vermont, Boston College and Stony Brook.