Meet Results

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 19, 2011) – The Vassar College women's swimming and diving team pushed the cross-river rival SUNY New Paltz all the way to the final race of the meet, but the Hawks prevailed with a narrow 153-146 win on Saturday at Kresge Pool.

Down three points at 150-147 after a strong performance in the 400 IM, the Brewers had a shot to win the meet with a first and third place finish in the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. New Paltz's Christine Rieth denied Vassar as she anchored the winning relay team (3:44.26) with a split of 52.79 to clinch the win for the Hawks.

“New Paltz had a huge free relay and it was anchored with a time that's faster than our school record in the 100,” said head coach Lisl Prater-Lee. “Our women stepped up and did what they could but New Paltz just swam faster.”

Vassar's relay team of Olivia Harries, Hayley Lemoine, Sydnie Alquist, and Shannon Sara finished second in 3:47.54.

“We had two 55-second splits in the race which is an improvement on last season,” said assistant coach Dan Decker.

The Brewers (2-2) next compete in the Liberty League Championships on December 2-3 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Union College will host the diving events.

Vassar set up the dramatic finish with a one-two-four finish in the 400 IM. Caroline Shannon took first in 4:47.53, Sara was second in 4:49.75, and Alison Burns was fourth in 5:00.83.

“It was a close meet throughout but the 400 IM gave us a lot of momentum going into the final race,” said Prater-Lee.

Shannon was a standout performer, adding wins in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:11.56) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:31.99).

The 100-yard breaststroke was a strong event for the Brewers as Juliana Struve was second in 1:13.14 and McKenzie Quinn took third in 1:14.57.

In diving, senior Christie Musket set a school record with a score of 244.19 in the 3-meter with six dives.

“Having four women on the boards also helped keep us competitive,” said Prater-Lee. “The fact is that we were in the meet was because of our diving.”

Vassar freshman Zoe Fullerton had a banner day with two lifetime bests with a fourth place finish in the 100-yard butterfly (1:05.45) and a second place finish in the the 200-yard butterfly (2:38.83).

“She looked strong and fresh throughout the race,” said Decker.