2015 NEC Conference Championships
- Wednesday, February 25- Saturday, February 28
- MIT Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center- Cambridge, MA
- Prelims/Finals Wednesday-8 PM, Thursday-Saturday 11 AM/7PM (Eastern Time Zone)
- Championship Central
Night one of the 2015 Northeast Conference Championships featured last year’s third place team, Central Connecticut State University, getting off on the right foot in their quest to achieve a different result this year. In the 200 medley relay the team of Helene Neuhauns (26.01), Maddy Garber (28.20), Sabree Thomas (25.03), and Christine Rasile (22.75) claimed the win for the Blue Devils with their 1:41.99. This time set a new Meet Record and crushed their school record of 1:45.43. Defending Champions, Wagner College, touched in second (1:42.61). Saint Francis University, who had won this relay since the 2010 NEC Championships, finished in third (1:43.53).
Not content with one relay win for the night, Central Connecticut pushed through to win the 800 free relay by over three seconds (7:27.98). Helene Neuhaus (1:51.61), Lauren Czulewicz (1:52.39), Sabree Thomas (1:52.77), and Christine Rasile (1:52.21) all had some of the fastest splits of the night in the decisive win for the Blue Devils. Sacred Heart University’s Jillian Crosby had the fastest split of the night, though (1:51.14), when she anchored her school’s relay to a 5th place finish. Crosby is only seeded in 8th in her individual 200 free with a 1:55.38. That split shows that she has a lot of room to move up in that event come Friday.
CCSU may have done exactly what they needed to tonight, but they will have their work cut out for them tomorrow if they want to remain on top. Wagner has seven swimmers in the top eight for the 500 free. Defending 500 free champion, Grace Baird, will lead the charge as Wagner looks to leap over CCSU. Saint Francis University is only eight points out of first, and they could shake up the standings if their top three sprinters remain in the top 8.
Team Scores
Central Connecticut: 40
Wagner: 34
Saint Francis U: 32
Bryant: 30
Mount St. Mary’s: 28
Sacred Heart: 26
St. Francis Brooklyn: 24