EAST MEADOW, N.Y. – Villanova started the 2023 BIG EAST Swimming and Diving Championships with a successful first day as the women swept relay action on Wednesday at the Nassau County Aquatic Center.
The Wildcats sit at the top of the leaderboard through the first two events with 128 points. Connecticut and Georgetown trail by 18 points in a tie for second to round out the top three.
The first team to hit the water was the 800 Free Relay group of
Molly Benson,
Lainey Quinones,
Mary Kate Farrell and
Lexi Elkovitch. Villanova and Xavier battled for the lead for most of the race, but the Musketeers were disqualified after a video review that pushed the 'Cats into first with a winning time of 7:21.83. Villanova has now won the 800 Free for 10 consecutive years.
Audrey Pastorek,
Winnie Jalet,
Arabella Lee and
Perri Stahl solidified the sweep in the 200 Medley Relay, touching in 1:40.48. The group's winning time marks the sixth-fastest time in program history.
Day two of the Championships gets started at 10 a.m. with prelims for the 500 Free, 200 IM and 50 Free with 3-Meter Diving at 1 p.m. The finals will begin at 5:45 p.m. with the 200 Free Relay closing the night.
