Meet results

By Julie Kayzerman '16

Ewing, NJ …  It was a bittersweet night for The College of New Jersey women's swimming and diving team, as seven seniors swam for the last time at home in the TCNJ Aquatic Center. But they left it all in the pool, defeating Rowan University, 183-107, to complete their four-year reign as NJAC champions on senior night.

Junior Brenna Strollo (Long Branch, NJ / Biotechnology HS) dominated the backstroke events, taking first in the 100 and 200 back with times of 1:00.55 and 2:10.73 respectively. The Lions swept the 100 back event as sophomore Katie Kilfeather (Toms River, NJ / Toms River North) took second, followed by sophomore Jill Galindo (Millstone Township, NJ / Allentown) and freshman Hailey Thayer (Hamilton, NJ / Steinert) in third and fourth. Galindo also placed second in the 200 back.

"Everyone swam really well today," senior Liz Spanfelner said. "A lot of emotions were running high, especially for the seniors, and really everyone put emotions aside and swam their heart out."

Strollo also commanded the 200 IM with a first-place time of 2:15.74 and anchored the Lion's first-place 400-freestyle relay alongside senior Lauren Rothstein (Clearview, NJ/Mullica Hill) and sophomores Allison Huber (South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) and Emily Rothstein (Clearview, NJ/Mullica Hill).

Lauren Rothstein also had a top finish in the 200 freestyle event, winning in 2:01.28 and placed second in the 100 free.

Marta Lawler (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) edged out her opponent in the 200 breaststroke to place first at 2:31.04 and went on to take third in the 200 IM.

Being the last home meet of the season for Rothstein, Perna, Spanfelner, Sarah Richards (Doylestown, Pa/Central Bucks East), Melissa Haley (Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan), Eilish Devine (Oradell, NJ/River Dell), and Noelle DeLusant (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest), the Lions celebrated their seven seniors with a ceremony and posters.

"It was awesome, the team chemistry has been great this year," Perna said. "Our saying of the year was 'always.' We're always a lion, we're always a family, we're always teammates, and we're always going to be friends."

The Lions are back in the water next Saturday when they visit William Paterson University for a 1 p.m. meet.