By Jodie Ng, news staff
The momentum for Northeastern women’s swimming and diving team continued as the Huskies won its second team meet this season at the 2015 Dartmouth Invitational.
After a strong win against the University of Vermont on Senior Day last weekend, the squad came out victorious with a score of 1,007 points, one more than meet-host Dartmouth’s 1,006 points. However, Northeastern was short one point in its head-to-head duel with Dartmouth, falling 176-177. But that did not stop the Huskies from conquering both University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst 232-114 and Connecticut College, 268-75.
Hosted in White River Junction, Vt., the meet started Friday and ended Saturday afternoon.
The competition opened up with the 200-freestyle relay. Senior Anna Schegoleva, freshman Samira Hoesl, senior Jessica Colucci and sophomore Rachel Green placed second with a time of 1:38.67, slightly behind UMass, which placed first with a time of 1:38.07.
Co-captain Schegoleva brought the Huskies their first victory in the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:07.85.
Northeastern then cruised to another first-place win in the 400-medley relay where freshman Christine Leong, Hoesl, freshman Sara Touchette-McGowan and Green swam a time of 3:54.90, concluding day one on a strong note.
The team managed to continue a dominant performance on day two when Leong, sophomore Taylor Ellis, senior Erica DeMunbrun and Schegoleva finished first with a time of 1:47.29 in the 200-medley relay.
Schegoleva and Touchette-McGowan finished one-two in the 100-butterfly with a time of 57.15 and 57.31, respectively. Sophomore Delaney Lanker placed fourth with a time of 59.20.
Senior and co-captain Megan Foran earned a sixth-place time of 1:56.84 in the 200-freestyle. According to her, the team was especially excited on the second day as everyone was ready to compete and ready to win.
“I think that the team came together really well,” Foran said. “It got really exciting, especially on the second day, when we realized the meet was so close. So that means we’ll probably be ready for [the championships] going forward, and we’re excited about that.”
Northeastern continued to prove that the Huskies are a strong contender with another one-two finish from Ellis and Hoesl in the 100-breaststroke. Ellis came out on top with a time of 1:04.63, Hoesl followed her with a time of 1:06.68 and sophomore Tove Bjork placed fourth with a time of 1:09.05.
As the meet progressed, Northeastern continued a strong showing, securing several more first-place wins from Schegoleva in the 100-backstroke and Touchette-McGowan in the 100-freestyle.
With yet another one-two finish from Ellis and Hoesl in the 200-breaststroke, the squad earned 37 overall points, further distancing itself from Dartmouth.
Freshman diver Jacquelyn Gover earned first in the 3-meter dive with a score of 265.04, while freshman diver Alyssa Seales placed third with a score 247.05.
Gover placed second in the 1-meter dive with a score 251.17 and freshman diver Caroline Gonsalves scored 246.07 for third place.
The meet concluded with wins for the Huskies and they are determined to stay strong for the remainder of the season.
“I think everyone is aware of the fact the season is winding down for the seniors,” Foran said. “Everyone wants to do well for the team which is a really good mindset for us.”
Photo courtesy Jim Pierce, Northeastern Athletics
