Spiders Open New Year with Victory Over La Salle

Thursday, January 11

Philadelphia, PA

3:00 p.m.

University of Richmond

159

141

La Salle University

Emma Martin competing in the butterfly, no one near her in other lanes, picture is straight on

01/11/2024 | Women's Swimming & Diving

Philadelphia, Pa. – The University of Richmond swimming and diving program hit the road against La Salle on Thursday, opening up the new year with a 159-141 victory.

Opening up the competition, the 200 medley relay squad of Katelyn Pennell, Presley Baber, Keirlyn Mullica, and Caitlyn Hughes took the 2^nd place finish with a time of 1:46.11.

The 1000m free proved to be the most successful event of the day for the Spiders as they claimed the first three finishes, beating out all La Salle swimmers. Katie Chignell grabbed the 1^st place finish with a mark of 10:31.19 as Natalie Stuart finished close behind at 10:43.52, taking the 2^nd place finish. Erin Budde closed the event out for Richmond at 3^rd place with a 10:43.62 mark.

Megan Carson found success in the 200 free as she claimed 1^st place at 1:54.42.

Caroline Weldon led the Spiders in the 100 back with a time of 57.67, adding another 1^st place finish to the results sheet.

The 200 fly was highlighted by the veteran performances of Alexa Connors and Emma Martin. Connors claimed 1^st place at 2:09.38 as Martin took 3^rd with a mark of 2:11.50.

Melissa Nwakalor (2^nd - 53.94) and Lucy Yeomans (3^rd - 54.33) were bright spots for the program in the 100 free.

Carstyn Klosterman had success in the 200 back, taking the 1^st place finish at 2:06.94.

Laura Davis took the 2^nd place finish in the 200 back with a mark of 2:24.60.

The 500 free was another strong event for the Spiders on the day as Katelyn Pennell finished in 1^st (5:12.99) and Erin Budde finished in 2^nd (5:14.19).

Caroline Weldon (2^nd place – 58.97) and Kaitlyn Bauer (3^rd – 1:00.24) were the top Richmond performers in the 100 fly.

Katelyn Pennell and Laura Davis had top performances in the 200 IM. Pennell found the finishing mark of 2:10.09 as Davis finished at 2:12.23 for 3^rd.

The Richmond swimmers finished their evening off with a dominant performance in the 400 free. Caitlyn Hughes, Melissa Nwakalor, Presley Baber and Katie Chignell grouped together, earning the 1^st place finish at 3:30.75.

Sally Harrington was the top diver of the day for the Spiders as she took the 1^st place finish in the 3 mtr (241.95) and the 2^nd place finish in the 1 mtr (246.15).

Up next, the Spiders stay in Philadelphia as they head to Villanova on Friday, January 12.