Nine Blue Devils Named Swimming and Diving All-NEC Performers

Central Connecticut freshman Alex Czaplicki was named Rookie of the Meet, while fellow freshman Mallory Miller earned the Outstanding Diver award this past weekend at the Northeast Conference Championships. The two first year competitors headlined a league high nine Blue Devils to receive All-NEC honors announced Tuesday. Senior Erin Crowley, sophomores Megan McGorry and Alyssa Carlucci, as well as freshman Kristen Malski also received first team accolades. Senior Heather Vendetta, junior Kandra Kane and freshman Sam Smolicz were tabbed to the All-NEC Second Team. The all-conference first and second teams consist of the first and second place event finishers from the NEC Championship meet this past weekend.

Czaplicki was named Rookie of the Meet for her three gold performances in the 200 IM, 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke. She recorded times of 2:03.68, 57.79 and 2:01.85, respectively. Miller won both the one-meter and three-meter diving events this past weekend to earn her a first team selection.

Crowley was victorious in three events at the conference meet, winning the 50 freestyle in 23.87, the 100 free in 51.63 and the 200 free in a time of 1:51.02. McGorry not only won three events at NECs but shattered the conference record in the 1,650 freestyle, touching in at 16:45.96. She was also first in the 500 freestyle (4:53.78) and the 400 IM (4:29.55).

Carlucci earned first team honors for her gold performance in the 100 breaststroke, recording a time of 1:06.37. She also placed second in the 200 breast and the 200 IM with times of 2:24.80 and 2:09.39, respectively. Malski won the 200 breast at the conference championship with a time of 2:24.35.

To receive second team accolades Kane put forth a silver medal performance in the 500 free, touching in at 4:56.52, while Vendetta took home second in the 400 IM, recording a time of 4:32.68. Smolicz recorded second place finishes in both the one and three-meter diving events, scoring 192.90 and 207.55 points, respectively.

CCSU won the NEC Championship for the second straight year this past weekend, winning 16 of 20 events. Also for the second straight year coaches Bill Ball and Dave Maliar took home Coach and Diving Coach of the Year honors. Central Connecticut will send 10 Blue Devils to the ECAC Championships starting on Friday February 27 at Harvard University.