New Hampshire vs UConn
- January 20, 2024
- Durham, N.H.
- SCY (25 yards)
- Results
Courtesy: UNH Athletics
DURHAM, N.H. – With the meet tied at 141-141 going into the final event, the Wildcats clinched the win with a pool record in the 200 free relay as the University of New Hampshire swimming and diving team defeated Big East opponent Connecticut, 152-147, in a thriller on Senior Day at Swasey Pool.
The Wildcats, who won 11 of the 16 events, improve to 5-1 on the season, while the Huskies fall to 6-3. UNH is now 2-1 versus UConn over the last three meetings which included a 158-142 win on Jan. 22, 2022 at Swasey Pool.
The 200 free relay team of Audrey Mahoney (Downers Grove, Ill.), junior captain Chiara Maria Pradissitto (Milan, Italy), junior Annie Jencova (Waikanae, New Zealand) and senior captain Abby McKinney (Westfield, N.J.) broke their own pool record with a time of 1:35.35. This team previously set the record with a time of 1:35.47 versus Central Connecticut earlier this season on Oct. 27.
Sophomore Ella Guilfoil (Fairport, N.Y.) won three events, while Mahoney took two. Freshman Emily Wright (Ventura, Calif.), Pradissitto, senior Hannah Devine (Hamilton, N.J.) and McKinney each won one event.
Devine, McKinney and Hannah Weatherby (Newtown, Conn.) were honored in a Senior Day ceremony before the meet for their hard work and dedication to the program.
UP NEXT:
- The Wildcats return to action at Maine on Friday, Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. for the Border Battle presented by Buffalo Wild Wings.
MEET INFO:
Score: New Hampshire 152, Connecticut 147
Location: Durham, N.H. (Swasey Pool)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024
Records: UNH 5-1, UConn 6-3
RESULTS
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The 400 medley relay team of Guilfoil, Wright, Pradissitto and McKinney gave the Wildcats an early 11-6 lead by taking the event with a winning time of 3:50.96.
- The ‘Cats then won three straight individual events as Devine placed first in the 1000 free (10:29.26), McKinney took the 200 free (1:53.78) and Guilfoil captured the 100 back (56.84). UNH moved out to a 44-29 lead after the first four events.
- The Huskies then won the 100 breast and 200 fly to cut the UNH lead to 57-54.
- But Mahoney placed first in the 50 free (23.81) and UNH increased its lead to 69-61.
- UConn took a 75-74 advantage after eight events, but wins by Mahoney in the 100 free (52.43), Guilfoil in the 200 back (2:00.91) and Wright in the 200 breast (2:24.40) gave the ‘Cats a 108-98 lead after 11 events.
- With UNH now leading 116-109 after the 500 free, the ‘Cats took 12 points from the 100 fly led by the first-place finish of Pradissitto (56.98) to move out to a 128-116 lead.
- With the Huskies now leading 132-131 after 14 events, the meet was tied at 141-141 when UNH tallied 10 points from the 400 IM including a win by Guilfoil (4:27.56).
- The 200 free relay team then gave the ‘Cats the 152-147 win with its stellar pool record setting time of 1:35.35.
Courtesy: UConn Athletics
Durham, NH – The University of Connecticut Swimming and Diving Team lost a close meet to the University of New Hampshire Wildcats Saturday 152 to 147.
Of the competitive finish and larger takeaways, Coach Chris Maiello said, “The meet today served the team well. It was good to see our team rally from behind all day to tie it up with one event remaining. Credit to our team for their consistency in fight until the end. We need these types of meets to build pressure and practice handling big swims/dives. Although the last relay did not go our way, we can build off this moving forward towards championship season. We are excited to get back to work and keep moving forward.”
Coach Maiello credits the Diving crew for their role in scoring big to keep the Huskies in the meet, as well as Olivia Herbert and Kayla Mendonca, specifically, for their contributions. Kayla took second in the 1000y Freestyle and 200y Backstroke, helping to deliver some momentum to the team throughout the meet. Olivia won the 100y Backstroke and 500y Freestyle, and played strong roles in the 400y Medley Relay and 400y IM.
Up Next – The Huskies return to action February 2nd playing host to CCSU at 5pm.