Maine's Comeback Falls Short at New Hampshire
2/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
DURHAM, N.H. – After the first 10 events of Friday night's meet against UNH, the Black Bears found themselves down by an astounding score of 126-43. It was at this point that the Maine women's swimming and diving team flipped a switch and outscored the New Hampshire women 47 to 0, but ended the night falling short 126-90.
The three meter dive came just in time for Maine's comeback as Kara Capossela (Greenwich, Conn.) found her winning form once again as she finished in first place with a score of 249.37. Juliet Cobb (Saco, Maine) followed with a second place finish and a score of 181.87. Ashley Higgins (Bangor, Maine) completed the Maine sweep in the event with a score of 176.32 and a third place finish.
With the Maine sweep in the previous event, it was up to the 100 yard backstroke participants to keep the momentum going. Jennifer Trodden (Reading, Mass.), Erica Smrcina (North Falmouth, Mass.) and Dana Wright (Twin Falls, Idaho) managed to do just that as they finished first, second and third respectably with times of 1:10:02, 1:11.94 and 1:13.05.
With disqualifications dominating events 13, 14 and 15, Maine was unable to capture victory and went into the final event with nothing to swim for but pride and team. And the 200 yard freestyle relay just happened to be the perfect event for such a time. The Black Bears finished the evening with a strong close as they placed first and second and swept the points yet again. Maine's first place team, consisting of Lauren Dwyer (Orono, Maine), Emily Puleio (Saco, Maine), Caitlin Shelley (Charlottesville, Va.) and Helaina Sacco (Rochester, Mass.) finished in 1:41:87 while Maine's second place team consisting of Grace Barnett (Bangor, Maine), Kara Dubiel (Carefree, Ariz.), Samantha Bond (Temple N.H.) and Carmen Linden (Ottawa, Ontario) finished just behind in 1:44:91.
Maine men's and women's Swimming and Diving will next hit the pool February 17-20 for the America East Championships in Baltimore, Md. Times and exact locations are to be announced at a later date.
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