VESTAL, NY – Siena Swimming & Diving opened its 21st season with a splash Saturday afternoon, spitting a pair of results in a tri-meet at Binghamton University in Vestal, NY. The Saints defeated MAAC rival Niagara, 157.5 – 132.5, while falling to host and America East heavyweight Binghamton, 210.5 – 86.5.
With the split, the Green and Gold picked up both their first dual meet win over the Purple Eagles and their first victory in a season-opening meet since 2015. The Saints are now 12-7 when facing Niagara and 1-6 against the Bearcats all-time.
Siena opened its season by winning three events, with all three coming from freshmen competing in their first collegiate action. Reilly King won the 1000-yard freestlyle (10:56.20) by over two seconds, while Rory Kalac tied for the top spot in the 50-yard freestyle (25.34) and Jessica Shine took home the gold in the 200-yard individual medley (2:13.89).
Aside from nine newcomers that took the pool donning the Saints' uniform for the first time, freshman Lydia DeLano became the first Saint since 2016 to compete as a diver for the team, placing fifth in the women's one-meter diving (195.59) and the three meter diving (162.30) events.
Junior Sydney Lautenslager began her third season in the pool for Siena by swimming a pair of personal best times, doing so in the 100 fly (1:03.67) and 200 fly (2:19.71).
The Saints also competed in a pair of relay events, placing third in the 400 freestyle relay and third in the 200 medley relay.
Siena is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 2 for a dual meet at Stony Brook at 1:00 p.m. The Saints and the Seawolves will meet for just the second time ever, with Siena grabbing a 172-58 victory in Loudonville in 2017.
