Goldman, Rasile Take Gold; CCSU Third at NECs
Sophomore Jessica Goldman earns her second-consecutive NEC Diver of the Year award after sweeping the diving competition for the second year in a row.
The Central Connecticut swimming and diving team placed third at the 2014 NEC Swimming and Diving Championships this weekend in Cambridge, MA. CCSU wrapped up day four of competition Saturday.
The Blue Devils tallied two gold-medal performances Saturday from sophomore Jessica Goldman in the 3-meter dive event and freshman Christine Rasile in the 100 freestyle. Rasile broke the CCSU freshman record in the event while senior Kristina Gulia shattered the 2005 program record in the 200 breaststroke.
For the second-consecutive year, Goldman swept both the 1-meter (211.55, Thursday) and 3-meter (248.05) competition. In defending both of her titles, Goldman earned the NEC Diver of the Meet honor for the second year in a row.
CCSU diving coach Michael Trueworthy was also named CCSU Diving Coach of the Year for the second-consecutive year.
From the 3-meter board, Goldman was followed by junior Kaitlyn Dwyer (4th, 201.80), sophomore Kaitlyn Beaver (5th, 200.45) and freshman Rayanne Muzzo (8th, 159.50).
Rasile broke the CCSU freshman record in the 100 free. She touched the wall in 50.86 en route to the win, besting teammate Helene Neuhaus' 2011 record of 51.27. She was followed by seniors Kellen Power (5th, 52.24) and Erin Massey (6th, 52.36), both of whom tallied season-best times in the event.
In the 200 breaststroke, Gulia broke the CCSU program record set in 2005 (2:19.63) with her time of 2:19.15 in the prelims, and again in the finals when she finished second in 2:16.89. Gulia's silver-medal performance was followed by freshman Lisa Ward (8th, 2:26.20), sophomore Alaina Papiro (10th, 2:25.68) and freshman Kaysha Dassler (15th, 2:30.80).
CCSU added another silver medal in the 400 freestyle relay. The Blue Devil squad raced a time of 3:27.88 and consisted of Power, Massey, Rasile and senior Kathryn Kiely.
In the 200 butterfly freshman Sabree Thomas, who broke the CCSU 100 fly freshman record on Friday, finished seventh with her time of 2:06.49. She was followed by sophomore Selene Chilton in ninth (2:07.99), and freshman Janel Crespo in 12th (2:10.61).
CCSU also finished seventh in the 200 backstroke. Freshman Stephanie Czulewicz, who helped CCSU to bronze in the 400 medley relay on Friday, touched the wall in 2:05.00 to pace the Central swimmers. Also swimming in the event was junior Kaylin Sylvester who finished 15th in 2:12.85.
Central competed in the 1650 yard freestyle on Saturday, posting three performances in the top ten. Junior Karen Novak placed sixth in 17:35.57 and was followed immediately by senior Kasey Chilton in seventh with a time of 17:38.35. Sophomore Reyna Zascirinskis finished ninth for CCSU, touching the wall in 17:44.73.
After 26 events in four days of swimming and diving competition, the Wagner Seahawks claimed the 2014 NEC Championship with 844 team points. Bryant placed second (643.5) followed by Central in third (628). Saint Francis U finished fourth (574), followed by Mount St. Mary's (284.5), Saint Francis Brooklyn (180) and Sacred Heart (167).