LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Swimming & Diving (5-2, 1-0) celebrated homecoming on Siena's campus with a dual meet win in its home opener on Saturday. The Saints began the first of five home meets this season with a 174.5-125.5 victory over Sacred Heart at the Siena Swim Center.
The meet was highlighted by the Saints breaking a pool record that stood since 2007, with the team of senior Rory Kalac, sophomore Maddie Buck, senior Reilly King, and sophomore Kylie Carter swimming a time of 8:00.64 in the 800 free relay.
The final event of the day was one of ten that the Green and Gold claimed victory in during the event, giving Siena its 15th win over the Pioneers in 16 tries. Siena began the meet with a win in the 200 medley relay (1:50.48) courtesy of the team of freshman Kaci Owens, freshman Tori Spacciapolli, junior Demi Bobarakis, and Kalac. The Saints featured the top four finishers in the 200 free, with Carter (1:58.06), and Buck (1:58.79) leading the way. Junior Audrey Shultz (1:08.43) and Spacciapolli (1:08.92) topped the 100 breast, while Kalac (24.17), and Carter (25.35) placed top-two in the 50 free.
Following a one-meter diving segment which featured senior Lydia Delano placing second with 238.95 points, Kalac began the second segment with a 53.36 in the 100 free to take first, while freshman Kaci Owens placed second with 55.04. Spacciapolli (2:29.76) and Carter (2:31.52). took control in the 200 breast, while Buck (5:19.75) and King (5:21.71) went 1-2 in the 500 free. The 100 fly featured a rare split for the lead, with both Bobarakis and Sacred Heart's Melanie Sanchez recording a time of 1:01.3. Shultz picked up her second event win of the day by swimming a 4:43.67 in the 400 IM.
Siena will take the pool at home for the second straight week on Saturday, November 19 when it hosts Stony Brook at 11 AM.
