WAYNE, N.J. – The TCNJ women's swimming and diving team opened their season in dominant fashion on the road, beating William Paterson 158-47 in their dual meet Saturday afternoon.

The Lions swept the meet, with eight individual athletes placing first across the nine swimming events and two diving events competed in throughout the afternoon. Additionally, both relay teams had impressive showings to come out on top.

Senior Gabi Valladares had an impressive afternoon on the boards, as she hit the NCAA Regional cut marks in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives, scoring a 264.70 and 309.25 to win both events. She beat out her teammate Beth Evaldi, who scored a 226.15 in her collegiate debut in the 1-meter dive. The freshman would follow up by scoring a 259.70 in the 3-meter dive.

In the pool, senior Shannon Heese won the 50 yard freestyle by clocking a time of 24.69 in her first race of the season. Fellow senior Rachel Hannah swam a 55.28 to win the 100 yard freestyle to win her race.

Freshman Katelyn Gaulin won her collegiate debut in the 1000 yard freestyle with a time of 12:04.21.

Two veteran Lions came out on top in multiple events. Senior Cameron Carrazza won both the 200 yard freestyle and 100 yard breaststroke. Graduate Student Jamie Bowne clocked the top times in the 200 yard IM and the 100 yard butterfly.

Sophomore Colleen Scanlon nearly broke her collegiate best in the 100 backstroke after recording a time of 1:03.29 to take first place. Senior Faith Cortright clocked a time of 5:37.00 to finish first in 500 freestyle.

The 200 medley relay team edged out the Pioneers, coming out on top with a combined time of 1:56.37 seconds. Cruising to first place, the 200 freestyle relay finished with a time of 1:42.68 to win its race as well.

The Lions make their home opener in two weeks when they host the Ramapo on Saturday, October 29, at 1 p.m.