By Gordon Weigers, news correspondent

The Northeastern swimming and diving team embarked on its annual training trip, travelling to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico on Dec. 27, hoping to use this as a chance to hone their skills for the rest of the season while enjoying an escape from the Boston winter. A photo blog of the trip can be found here.

After the trip, the Huskies improved their overall record to 6-3 in a 155-145 win at the University of Vermont on Monday, achieving nine first-place finishes and three pool records and the Forbush Natatorium.

“It was a great victory today,” head coach Roy Coates said. “We had contributions from virtually everyone. I love how the team pulled together.”

Sophomore Sara Touchette-McGowan teamed up with freshman Carly Schnabel and juniors Delanie Lanker and Taylor Ellis to set a new pool record in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:45.46.

Touchette-McGowan and Ellis snagged pool records in individual events as well. Ellis won the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:04.35, and Touchette McGowan posted 55.47 in the 100-yard butterfly. Schnabel earned wins in two solo events for the Huskies, outpacing the Catamounts in the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle.

“There was a lot of synergy on deck,” senior Taylor Brew said. “It was a great checkpoint where we had the opportunity to fine-tune little details of our races before heading into championship season.”

In a tri-meet in Delaware on Jan. 9, Northeastern came away with a 196-104 win over Drexel University but suffered a 167-133 loss to the University of Delaware.

Ellis had a strong performance, earning wins in both breaststroke events. Diver Jacquelyn Gover placed third in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives for the Huskies.

Up next for the Huskies is a trip to the Dartmouth Invitational on Jan. 22-23, followed by a home meet against Long Island University Brooklyn on Jan. 30.

Photo courtesy Jim Pierce, Northeastern Athletics.