TROY, NY (November 11, 2017) – The Vassar College women's swimming & diving team traveled to Troy, NY to take on No. 14 Rensselear Polytechnic Institute in action from Robinson Pool, falling to the Engineers 184-92 despite some strong performances throughout the meet for VC.

Junior Kael Ragnini started the meet strong for the Brewers (3-1), as she earned the win in the 1000 meter freestyle as she swam a time of 11:14.88, just off her season-best time of 11:13.83 set last week at Skidmore. Freshman Angharad Healey chalked up a third-place finish for Vassar in the 200 free, as she touched the wall at 2:04.33 for three points.

In the 100 backstroke, RPI earned the top two spots but Vassar chalked up six points thanks to three finishes in the top five, led by Rhea Randhawa in third place with a time of 1:01.92, while Sarah Boese posted a 1:08.81. Moments later, freshman Shannon Schrope had one of the best swims of the day for VC, as she swam a season-best 1:09.92 to out-touch Caitlyn Gardiner in the 100 breaststroke.

Also in the 100 breaststroke, Stephanie Kaplan registered a 1:12.61 for fourth place and a season-best time in the event. In the 50 free, junior Meg Harrington led the Vassar contingent with a 27.79 for fourth place. In the 1-meter diving event, senior Katie Nordstrom continued to improve as she posted a career-best point total of 101.80, finishing five after competing against one of the top diving groups in the Liberty League.

In the 100 freestyle, Kaplan posted the best time of any Vassar swimmer in the event this season, as she took second place with a 56.92. In the 200 backstroke, Randhawa was just nipped at the wall by Emily Mayoras for first place, taking second with a season-best time of 2:11.25. Healey was fourth in the event with a 2:18.95.

VC picked up another win in the 200 breaststroke thanks to junior Hayley Schultz, who swam a 2:31.33 for the Brewer's best time in the event this season. Schrope was second with a 2:34.10 for a season-best time as well in the 200 breast. In the 500 freestyle, Ragnini was second overall with a 5:31.76, while Abby Kirsch earned three points with a 6:12.40.

In the 100 butterfly, freshman Ellie Kennedy-Wood battled one of the best butterfly swimmers in the nation in Shanny Lin and performed well, taking second-place with a 1:02.73. In the 400 IM, Randhawa added three point points for the Brewers with a time of 4:45.43 in her first try at the event as a Brewer. Heleay was fourth in the event with a 4:52.98, while senior Emily McDaniels posted a season-best time of 5:18.86.

In the 400 free relay, Vassar took four points with the third-best time, chalking up a 3:57.35 thanks to the showing from Kaplan, Harrington, Ragnini and Schultz. Vassar will be back in action this upcoming Friday at home at 6 p.m. in Kresge Pool.

"We knew RPI would be a challenge for us today with their consistent strengths and depth but we also had many races where we could see solid progress and have a much better idea of what we need to accomplish still in the training pool," said head coach Lisl Prater-Lee. "We're looking forward to getting everything we can out of the first four days of next week so we can see it put together Friday night for our dual meet with New Paltz."