WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. -- The Bridgewater State University women's swim team is in 16th place in a 21-team field after the first day of action at the three-day New England Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Association (NEISDA) Division II/III Championships held at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction, Vermont.

The Bears tallied 72 points during the first day of events. Bentley University is in first place with 555 points followed by Keene State College with 476.5.

Two relay teams and three individual event swimmers were in Friday evening's finals.

The 200 freestyle relay team of sophomore Bridget Hasson (Milton, MA), freshman Ariel Gillis (Blackstone, MA) and juniors Lauren Gale (Norwich, CT) and Caroline McMillan (Whitman, MA) placed 16th in the event with a time of 1:53.58.  The 400 medley relay team consisting of Hasson, McMillan and sophomores Loren Phinney (Holbrook, MA) and Rhiannon White (Falmouth, MA) finished in 16th place with a time of 4:41.53.

Phinney posted an eighth place time in the 500 freestyle (5:27.17), while White was 20th in the 100 butterfly (1:06.15) and McMillan finished 24th in the 50 freestyle (:27.49).

The championship meet will continue Saturday and conclude on Sunday.