Cambridge, MA - Day one of the 2015 Northeast Conference Swimming and Diving Championships set the tone for an exciting four days of competition at the Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center. Central Connecticut won the 800 freestyle in record breaking fashion and the 200 medley relay to sweep the first day of competition.

The Blue Devils started the meet off in recording breaking fashion, winning the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:41.99 to set a new NEC record, breaking the previous time set by Saint Francis U at last year’s NEC championships. The squad of Helene Neuhaus (Westport, CT/Staples), Maddy Garber (Milford, MA/Milford), Sabree Thomas (South Hadley, MA/South Hadley), and Christine Rasile (Branford, CT/Branford) edged out Wagner’s squad of Anu Nihipali (Honolulu, HI/Hawaii Preparatory), Katja Claesson (Fullerton, CA/Troy High School), Sam Sides (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East), and Corinne Rondina (Staten Island, NY/Notre Dame Academy) to claim the top spot on the podium. In a thrilling race, Wagner held the lead until Blue Devil anchor Christine Rasile (Branford, CT/Branford) touched the wall first to pull out the win for the Blue Devils. The Seahawks finished with a time of 1:42.99.  Saint Francis U, the 200 medley relay winners for the previous five championships, followed to round out the podium. The squad of Sara Dietrich (Ronokoma, NY/Connetquot), Catherine Rogers (Nokesville, VA/Seton School), Mary Kish (Glendale, AZ/Bourgade Catholic), and Katie Lafferty (Bremen, IN/Bremen) finished with a 1:43.53 performance.

The Blue Devils swept the night with another win in the 800 freestyle relay to end day one of competition. The team of Helene Neuhaus (Westport, Ct/Staples), Lauren Czulewicz (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk), Sabree Thomas (South Hadley, MA/South Hadley), and Christine Rasile (Branford, CT/Branford) started off strong and never looked back, taking the top spot with a time of 7:27.98. Wagner’s squad of Maddie McNichol (Downingtown, PA/Henderson), Kristine Sullivan (Overland Park, KS/Notre Dame de Sion), Maggie Shaw (Chantilly, VA/Chantilly), and Amanda Lucia (Easthampton, MA/Easthampton) claimed another silver medal for the Seahawks, clocking in at 7:31.61. Bryant’s squad of Erin Daly (Reading, MA/Reading Memorial), Valeria Watson (Mexico City, Mexico/American School Foundation), Caitlin Hanahoe (Eden Prairie, MN/Eden Prairie), and Mara Valenzuela (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) grabbed the final podium spot of the night with a time of 7:34.37.

The 2015 NEC Swimming and Diving Championships resume tomorrow at 11:00 am.

Team Rankings Through Day 1

Central Connecticut: 40
Wagner: 34
Saint Francis U: 32
Bryant: 30
Mount St. Mary’s: 28
Sacred Heart: 26
St. Francis Brooklyn: 24

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