WESTFIELD, Mass. –   Westfield State University swimming newcomers Alexa Richter (Westfield, Mass.) and Wiktoria Kaczor (Belchertown, Mass.) turned in strong performances for the Owls, but WSU fell to Simmons College by a 153-126 final score in the first meet of the season for both teams at the Ely Pool on Saturday.

 

Richter won the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle events, and was part of the Owls winning 200-yard medley relay team to open the meet.  She also placed second in the 100 freestyle.

 

Kaczor, a junior transfer from Holyoke Community College, was part of the 200 medley relay unit, and won the 50 breaststroke, the 100 breast stroke, and placed second in the 100 individual medley.

 

Kat Ferri (Springfield, Mass./Central) and Karoline Warzybok (Chicopee. Mass.) were also part of the Owls' winning 200 medley relay group.

 

Simmons did their best work in the 50 freestyle sweeping the top three spots, led by Hailey Stuck.  Camelia Hannah and Emma Harmon each won a pair of the events for the Sharks.

 

Westfield got a solid diving performance from sophomore Kara Banagan (Niskayuna, N.Y.), who was diving in her first meet at any level.   An all-region goalkepper for the Owls NCAA-tournament women's lacrosse team last spring, Banagan scored 143.05 in the first 1-meter diving session.

 

Westfield State head coach Dave Laing began his 40th year at the helm of the Owls swimming and diving program.

 

The Owls will be back in the pool at home next weekend, hosting Rhode Island College at 1:00 p.m. at the Ely Pool.