Nov. 9, 2013

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Villanova women's swimming & diving team earned its first BIG EAST wins of the season as the Wildcats topped Seton Hall, 204-146, and Georgetown, 259-91, in a Quad Meet in Piscataway, N.J.

Villanova fell to host and former BIG EAST member Rutgers, 217-130. The Wildcats began the meet strong on Friday with a second-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, with sophomore Kaisla Kollanus, junior Katrin Heider, junior Sara Jurek and freshman Jessica Randolph coming in at 1:37.08.

Heider won the Wildcats' first event of the meet, earning a time of 1:52.20 in the 200 freestyle. Jurek came in third in the event (1:52.81).

The Wildcats took the top two spots in the 400 freestyle relay with times of 3:30.58 and 3:36.19.

The freshmen continued their great starts to the season as they tallied important times for Villanova. Freshman Colleen Lord took third in the 100 backstroke (59.68) and in the 200 backstroke (2:09.25).

Freshman Erin Merkle took third in the 1000 freestyle (10:35.62), while freshman Emily Mayo took second in the 500 freestyle (5:04.13). Randolph earned third in the 200 breaststroke (2:32.48).

Kollanus took second in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.58 and second in the 100 freestyle with a 52.51, just .22 behind Rutgers' Mary Moser. Heider placed third in the 100 freestyle with a 52.67.

Sophomore Fiona Hardie came in third in the 200 butterfly (2:08.83) while classmate Kollanus earned third in the 100 butterfly (58.28).

Heider placed third in the 500 freestyle (5:07.22). Jurek took second in the 400 individual medley (4:29.44).

Senior Michelle Hall held the Wildcats' highest scores on the 1-meter board (222.20) and 3-meter board (241.35).

The Wildcats travel back to Piscataway from Nov. 22-24 for the annual Frank Elm Invite.