Canisius Sweeps “Battle of the Bridge” Rival Niagara In Buffalo

Canisius vs Niagara

• January 18, 2020
• Buffalo, New York
• Results

Courtesy: Canisius Athletics

The Canisius men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams defeated “Battle of the Bridge” rival, Niagara, Saturday afternoon at the Burt Flickinger Center in downtown Buffalo.

The Canisius men won by a 182-86 margin while the women earn a 175-114 victory over the Purple Eagles.

The women’s team claimed top spots in nine of 14 races on Saturday. Senior Ashlynn Gilfillan and sophomore Kelsey Childress led the way for the Griffs with two top-finishes each. Freshmen Isabel Sapio and Lilly McDonnell joined with juniors Sage Pollack and Morgan Farman with wins as well for the Blue and Gold.

In women’s diving, senior Gianna Cornelia placed first in the 3-meter dive (223.87) and second in the 1-meter dive (234.00). Senior Vinnie Costanzo earned a second-place finish in the 3-meter dive (222.15), while placing third in the 1-meter event (233.10).

On the men’s side, multiple members of the team had top times in the team’s victory. Senior Kyle Griffin earned two first-place finishes in the 50 and 100 free. Additionally, sophomores Liam O’Connell, Mason Adams and Mike Maurer, seniors Dan Kuznetsov and Kenyon Winkky and junior Alex Kunes all won races on the day.

In men’s diving, freshman Slade Merk took second in the 1-meter dive with his score of 122.10.

The Blue and Gold will conclude the 2019-20 regular season when they travel to Gannon on Jan. 25. Meet time in Erie, Pa., is set for 1 p.m.

Courtesy: Niagara Athletics

• Colin Lang won the 1-meter dive with a score of 216.98 and won the 3-meter dive with a score of 182.02.
• Dalton Stier placed second in the 200 free with a time of 1:49.87. He took third in the 100 fly with a time of 55.06 and fourth in the 200 fly with a time of 2:04.60.
• Edgar Melchor won the 200 IM, finishing the event in 1:59.12. He earned a second-place finish in the 50 free with a time of 21.93. He also placed second in the 200 breast with a time of 2:14.09.
• Noah Brooks (2:05.86) placed second in the 200 IM and Kevin Verdejo (2:13.60) placed third in the same event.
• The relay team of Stier, Alexander Jarski, Harry Fox and Nicholas Stoll won the 400 free relay with a time of 3:37.72.

• “The first meet during winter training in always tough,” said head coach Eric Bugby. “They are broken down, but they raced smart. In my opinion, today was about race strategy, finishing hard and supporting each other. We won all three of those.”

• Niagara hosts St. Bonaventure for Senior Day on Friday, Jan. 31 at 3:00 p.m.

• Avery Sanquist won the 1650 free with a time of 18:19.46.
• Hannah Charlton earned a win in the 200 fly with a time of 2:12.80 and won the 100 fly with a time of 59.18.
• Sydney Sarkis won the 1-meter dive with a total score of 237.15.
• Delaney Labue won the 200 IM with a time of 2:17.97.
• Zoe Gavin placed second in the 200 fly with a time of 2:13.85 and second in the 200 IM with a time of 2:20.32.
• Sarah Webber finished the 100 breast in 1:12.87 to place second. She also placed second in the 200 breast with a time of 2:36.89.
• The relay team of Yvonne Schere, Lauren Nicastro, Labue and Isabella DeSimone won the 400 free relay with a time of 3:46.09.

• “The first meet during winter training in always tough,” said head coach Eric Bugby. “They are broken down, but they raced smart. In my opinion, today was about race strategy, finishing hard and supporting each other. We won all three of those.”

• Niagara hosts St. Bonaventure for Senior Day on Friday, Jan. 31 at 3:00 p.m.