Women's Swimming & Diving Posts 163-123 Win over Elms

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Behind a pair of individual victories from junior Ashley Dunican (Bennington, Vt.), the Bridgewater State University women's swimming and diving team posted a 163-123 victory over visiting Elms College on Wednesday afternoon at the Moriarty Pool.

The Bears even their dual meet record at 4-4 on the season with the win, while the Blazers slip to 1-6.  For the meet, both teams wore special designed swim caps to honor the victims of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

Dunican placed first in both the 50 backstroke (31.37) and 100 backstroke (1:08.55) events.  She also swam a leg on the Bears' winning 200 medley relay squad along with sophomores Sarah Rechtiene (Southbury, Conn.), Kendra Parry (Middleboro, Mass.) and Kristen Carey (East Taunton, Mass.).

The Bears placed first in seven of the 16 events. The hosts also added 11 second place finishes and placed third in ten events.

BSU junior Chelsea Nolan (Lowell, Mass.) grabbed top honors in the 1,000 freestyle (12:03.61), while classmate Ariel Gillis (Blackstone, Mass.) won the 100 freestyle (1:00.80).  Freshman diver Tiffany Easter (Easton, Mass.) registered the top score on both the one-meter (159.30 pts.) and three-meter (176.60 pts.) boards.

For Elms, junior Devon DeGrazia (Westport, Mass.) and senior Tessa Dudunake (Northampton, Mass.) each won three individual events apiece, while senior Emalee Furtek (Ludlow, Mass.) picked up a pair of victories.   DeGrazia placed first in the 200 freestyle (2:05.55), 50 freestyle (26.88) and 500 freestyle (5:33.74).  Dudunake took home top honors in the 50 breaststroke (34.09), 100 breaststroke (1:26.58) and 100 individual medley (1:08.57).  Furtek touched first in both the 100 butterfly (1:07.35) and 50 butterfly (29.14).

DeGrazia, Dudunake and Furtek also swam a leg on the Blazers' winning 200 freestyle relay (1:51.11) along with junior Emily Schneider (West Kingston, R.I.).

In upcoming action, the Bears travel to Plymouth, New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon for a tri-meet with host Plymouth State University and Rhode Island College starting at one.  The Blazers visit Mount Saint Mary College on Saturday also at one.