Cambridge, MA - In one of the most exciting NEC championships ever, the Central Connecticut Blue Devils earned the 2015 NEC Swimming and Diving title for the fourth time in program history. The Blue Devils took control on day one and never looked back, posting a final score of 837.  2014 NEC champion Wagner finished in second with a score of  813 and Bryant came in third with a final tally of 587 points.
 
Wagner’s Grace Baird (Lexington, NC/West Davidson) started the night off winning the 1650 free, clocking in at 17:05.38. Fellow Seahawk Maggie Slocolmb (Chantilly, VA/Chantilly) followed at 17:10.97 and Haley Fournier (Ave Maria, FL/Palmetto Ridge) of Mount St. Mary’s earned the bronze, recording a time of 17:37.57.00.
 
Anu Nihipali (Honolulu, HI/Hawaii Preeparatory) continued her championship dominace, winning the 200 back and setting a new NEC record with a time of 1:50.30. Central Connecticut's Helene Neuhaus (Westport, CT/Staples) finished right behind with a time of 1:58.84. Neuhaus and Nihipali both earned NCAA B cut qualifications for their performances. Stephanie Czulewicz (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) earned the third spot for the Blue Devils with a time of 2:01.49.
 
Christine Rasile (Branford, CT/Branford) picked up the first victory of the night for the Blue Devils in the 100 free final. Rasile edged out Jessica Reiley (Pittsburgh, PA/Upeer St. Clair) of Saint Francis U, who touched the wall shortly after Rasile with a time of 51.77 . Coming in milliseconds later was fellow Rasile, Christine  (Pittsburgh, PA/Upeer St. Clair) , who rounded out the podium with the bronze, posting a time of 51.79.
 
Maddy Garber (Milford, MA/Milford) continued raking up the victories in record breaking fashion. Garber broke the 200 breast record in the prelims, but further made her mark in NEC history with a time of 2:13.37, good for another NCAA B cut qualification. Maggie Slocomb (Landenburg, PA/St. Marks) claimed the silver for Wagner, clocking in at 2:16.66. Fellow Seahawk Katja Claesson (Fullerton, CA/Troy) clocked a time of to earn the bronze.
 
Amanda Lucia (Easthampton, MA/Easthampton) broke another NEC record en route to earning the top spot in the 200 fly. Lucia took the lead from the start won in dominating fashion with a time of 1:59.34. Erin Regan (Ft. Washington, PA/Upper Dublin) earned the silver medal for Mount St. Mary's, clocking in at 2:01.72. Jamie Schaefer (Durham, NC/CE Jordan) followed for Bryant, posting a time of 2:03.95.
 
In the 3 meter dive, Samantha Lavrich (Audubon, PA/Methacton) posted the top score of 246.65. Central Connecticut's Kate Dwyer (Waterbury, CT/Sacred Heart) earned the second spot with a tally of 231.45. Mallory Lee (Newark, CA/Moreau Catholic) bookended the podium for the Seahawks with a score of 226.85.
 
It was only suiting that Central Connecticut finish the meet how they started, setting a new NEC record with a time of 3:24.55. the Blue Devils squad of Lauren Rasile (Branford, CT/Branford), Lauren Czulewicz (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk), Christine Rasile (Branford, CT/Branford), and Helene Neuhaus (Westport, CT/Staples) closed out the meet for Central Connecticut and the celebration was on from there. Wagner's team of Sam Sides (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East), Kristine Sullivan (Overland Park, KS/Notre Dame de Sion), Maddie McNichol (Downingtown, PA/Henderson), and Anu Nihipali (Honolulu, HI/Hawaii Preparatory) earned the runner-up spot with a time of 3:26.77. Saint Francis U's team of Catherine Rogers (Nokesville, VA/Seton School), Emma Karell (Norrtalge, Sweden/Taby Swim Club), Jessica Reilly (Pittsburgh, PA/Upper St. Clair), and Katie Lafferty (Bremen, IN/Bremen) claimed the last medal of the night with a time of 3:29.56.

Final Team Rankings

Central Connecticut: 837
Wagner 813
Bryant: 587
St. Francis U: 436
Mount St. Mary's: 276
Sacred Heart: 234
St. Francis Brooklyn: 161

Rookie of the Meet
Maddy Garber, Central Connecticut

Outstanding Swimmer
Anu Nihipali, Wagner

Outstanding Diver
Sam Lavrich, Wagner

Diving Coach of the Year
Anthony Coatright, Central Connecticut

Swimming Coach of the Year
Bill Ball, Central Connecticut

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