STORRS, Conn. – Eight event wins propelled the Wildcats to an eight-point, 154-146 victory over the Huskies Saturday at the Wolff-Zackinn Natatorium. This marks Villanova's fifth win in a dual meet against UConn in the last six years.
Reigning BIG EAST Most Outstanding Swimmer, senior
Audrey Pastorek led the way claiming the top spot in all three of her individual events. Pastorek won the 100 backstroke in 56.27 before besting the field in the 200 backstroke by two seconds clocking 2:01.76. Finishing off the hat trick, the Savannah, Georgia native won the 200 IM in 2:06.72.
Fellow senior,
Molly Benson had a strong season opener winning the 100 and 200 freestyle in 52.76 and 1:53.85, respectfully. Benson also played a key role in the Wildcats first place finish in the 200 freestyle relay later on in the day.
Sophomore
Winnie Jalet picked up an event win and personal best in Connecticut. Jalet won a tight race in the 200 breaststroke clocking 2:21.69. The Ann Arbor, Michigan native began the day with a personal best in the 1000 freestyle finishing third in 10:36.57.
All-BIG EAST swimmer,
Katie White picked up her first event win of the season clocking 2:03.05 in the 200 butterfly. In a tight race, White picked up important points in the 100 butterfly finishing second in 56.97.
Other notable performances came by way of
Marlene Blanke, Carlota Colomer and
Michelle Kasulka. In their collegiate debut, the freshmen trio combined to score a total 24 points for the Wildcats. Blanke recorded two second place finishes in the 1000 freestyle (10:33.36) and 500 freestyle (5:09.37). Colomer played vital role in Villanova's 400 medley relay clocking 3:52.99 to finish second, as well as earning an individual event runner-up finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.16). From the platform, Kasulka finished runner-up in 1 meter scoring 245.93 and fourth in 3 meter with a score of 250.43.
The Wildcats began the day placing second in the 400 medley relay with Pastorek, Colomer, and freshmen
Alyssa McHale and
Martina Lonati. The quartet swam a strong race tapping the wall at 3:52.99. With a one-point lead over UConn going into the final event, the 'Cats rallied to win the 200 freestyle relay and secure the dual meet title. Quinones, Benson, McHale and senior
Lexi Elkovitch combined to finish ahead of the competition by over a second clocking 1:36/36.
Villanova is back in the pool next week as the team travels to Washington, DC to compete against BIG EAST rival Georgetown on October 28.
