Swimming & Diving Splits Meet at UMass

Results
 
Amherst, Mass. - (February 1, 2020) – The Fordham swimming & diving teams had their final dual meet of the season on Saturday, as the Rams headed to Amherst, Massachusetts for a date with UMass.  The Rams ended the day with a split in the meet, as the women defeated UMass, 173-126, while the men fell by a 207-86 count.
 
Fordham finished the day with 11 event wins in the women's competition, led by Vaula Vekkeli, who won three individual events and was a part of one winning relay.  She captured first in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.50), 200 breaststroke (2:24.62), and the 200 individual medley (2:06.85) events.  Then, she joined Michelle Martin, Kiara Norris, and Theresa Mullen to win the 200 medley relay in 1:47.90.
 
Martin also had a big day, winning two individual events and two relays.  In addition to the 200 medley relay, she won the 200 freestyle relay with Samantha McDonald, Paulina Watson, and Theresa Mullen in a time of 1:36.41, while also taking the top spot in the 50 freestyle (23.69) and 100 butterfly (56.33).
 
Clare Culver joined Vekkeli and Martin as multi-event winners on Saturday for the Rams, taking first in the 200 (1:53.94) and 500 (5:04.89) freestyle events.  Other winners included Naima Mackrel in the 100 backstroke (59.20) and Paulina Watson in the 200 backstroke (2:06.34).

 
In the men's competition, Fordham had two winners, beginning with Josh Stegen in the 200 freestyle, as he clocked in at 1:43.81.  Patrick Wilson then won the 200 breaststroke in 2:08.19.
 
Both Stegen and Wilson were then a part of the 200 freestyle relay with Kevin Berry and Bryce Bollesen that took second in 1:25.65.  Bollesen also had a second place finish in the 50 freestyle in 21.37 seconds.
 
Spencer Clarke had a pair of runner-up finishes for Fordham, taking second in the 100 backstroke (51.66) and the 200 individual medley (1:56.05).  Ethan Murray and Connor Wright also added second place finishes in the 200 butterfly (1:56.45) and 200 backstroke (1:55.49), respectively.
 
The Rams will next be in action on February 7-8, as select Rams will compete in the NYU Winter Invitational.