UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Villanova's swimming and diving team traveled to Penn State on Jan. 31 to take on the Nittany Lions in the final dual meet of the season. In what was the fourth meet in a seven day stretch, the Wildcats were bested on the road. The women fell 167.5-93.5, while the men dropped the contest 180-79.
On the women's side, Villanova had three first-place finishes thanks to
Nicole Welch (1,000 freestyle),
Kaitlin Gravell (200 breaststroke) and
Kelly Montesi (200 IM). However, that was not the end of their days.
Montesi also placed second in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:05.81, and third in the 100 butterfly in 56.62. Welch took second in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:02.08, while Gravell took third in the 100 breaststroke, going 1:07.49.
Milly Routledge had two second-place finishes, the first in the 50 free (23.90) and the second in the 100 free (51.50). The junior also took third in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:51.67.
Rayann Jaryszak took second in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:28.55. Villanova placed second in the 200-freestyle relay and third in the 200-medley relay.
Grace Wielar had a pair of third-place finishes on the day. She swam 58.13 in the 100 backstroke and 2:05.24 in the 200 backstroke.
Emily Provenzo took third in the 1,000 free with a time of 10:24.91, while
Perri Stahl went 24.02 to place third in the 50 freestyle
The men also had three first-place finishes on the day. One such finish came in the 200-freestyle relay, an event that the Wildcats swept. Villanova also swept the 200 IM, thanks to
Jordan Fetterman,
Francis Prikasky and
Alex Klippel.
Justin Cucchi touched the wall first in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:49.40. Cucchi also took third in the 100 back with a time of 50.94.
Stephen Krecsmar had a pair of third-place finishes, going 21.17 in the 50 freestyle and 51.23 in the 100 butterfly.
Jake McIntyre came in third in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:45.38.
Villanova will be back in the pool tomorrow, although it will be for Sprint Fest. That will begin at 12:00 P.M.
