NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – Wellesley College swimming & diving took first in 14 of 16 events to defeat Seven Sisters and New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference rival Smith College, 187-112, in a dual meet between the two schools on Saturday afternoon at Dalton Pool.
Wellesley, who has now secured victories in four-straight dual competitions, was paced by three individual victories from sophomore Cathy Chen (Parsippany, N.J.). Chen captured the 200 Yard Freestyle in 2:03.62 and the 200 IM in 2:19.56. She was also first in the 200 Yard Backstroke, with the Blue posting a pair of competitive times, as Chen took first in 2:14.86 and first year Kayleigh Svensson (Palo Alto, Calif.) was second in 2:17.89. Chen was also a part of Wellesley's first relay victory in the meet, teaming with fellow New Jersey natives Danielle Peterson (Livingston, N.J.), Jessie Feng (Princeton, N.J.) and Francesca Dong (Princeton Junction, N.J.) to win the 200 Yard Medley Relay in 1:58.50.
Sophomores Karen Wang (Holmdel, N.J.), Sunny Chiang (Troy, Mich.) and Crystal Zhu (Chelmsford, Mass.) and junior diver Maura Sticco-Ivins (Framingham, Mass.) each won a pair of events against the Pioneers. Wang had the top time in a pair of 200 Yard races, winning the 200 Butterfly in 2:15.78 and the 200 Breaststroke in 2:36.22. Chiang led a one-two Wellesley finish in the 50 Yard Freestyle, racing to a time of 25.85. Dong was second in the event in 27.07. Chiang also showed her versatility with a victory in the 500 Yard Freestyle distance event, finishing in 5:25.73. Zhu was first in both the 100 Yard Breaststroke and the 100 Yard Butterfly, recording a time of 1:16.13 in the 100 Breast and 1:03.73 in the 100 Fly.
The reigning NEWMAC Diver of the Week, Sticco-Ivins registered NCAA regional qualifying scores en route to victories on both the 1 and 3-meter boards. Sticco-Ivins scored 290.40 to win the 1-meter and 308.15 to win the 3-meter.
A one, two, three Wellesley sweep of the 100 Yard Freestyle and a victory in the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay completed the Blue's victory on Saturday. Junior Patricia Chen (Natick, Mass.) was first in the 100 Free, with classmate Lindsey Wu (Livingston, N.J.) finishing just behind her in 57.74. Dong took third in 58.37. Dong was also part of the Wellesley team, along with Peterson, Chiang and Zhu, that took first in the 400 Free Relay with a mark of 3:47.51.
Wellesley and Smith will both travel to the annual Seven Sisters Championship next Saturday and Sunday, January 22 and 23. This year's meet will be hosted by Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
