By: Haley Nimmons | Staff Writer
The Salve Regina University Swim Club had their annual swim meet at Providence College this past Sunday afternoon. The team has 19 members this spring, 14 new and five returning. This semester the team was coached by Pam Heroux, Associate Dean of Admissions at Salve and Coordinator of Athletic Recruitment. She was assisted by YMCA volunteer Sam Steen. The team swims twice a week at the YMCA and has one meet each season.
The girls were excited at the beginning of the meet. Captain Grace Boyle said she was most excited to see everyone cheer each other on. The meet began with a warm up at 1:30, and swimmers were greeted by parents, friends and spectators. The three competing teams were Providence College, Holy Cross, and Salve Regina University. The meet began at 2:30, consisting of 25 events, men’s, women’s, and some co-ed relays. Some races included multiple heats.
Highlights
Relays: The meet began with the co-ed 200 Medley Relay with Colleen Brown, Mackenzie Brodley, and Jill Boutcher representing Salve in the backstroke. Lilla Sharman, Alix Rousseau, and senior Captain Jess Reitz followed in the breaststroke, Captain Kayla Brundage, Maeve Newton, and Katie O’Farrell in butterfly, and finishing the race strong were Salve swimmers Claire Toomey, Valeria Parmenidez and Boyle in freestyle. Other relays included the co-ed 200 freestyle relay, and the 400 freestyle relay. Salve teams finished with a 2:07:90, 2:21:08, and 2:34:41. Coach Pam Heroux says her team “didn’t back down against their male counterparts when faced with the challenge in the relays. I can not be more proud of them.”
Endurance Races: In the 200 freestyle, Salve first year Reagan Moffatt came in 1st place with a time of 2:16:25. Sharman, Toomey and Brundage all swam the 200 I.M. Teammates were grateful to Moffatt and Kaylee Collins for racing the daunting 400 freestyle, both finishing with impressive times of 5:00 even and 6:29:71.
100 Yard Sprint Races: Toomey, Rousseau, Boyle, Veronica Hunt, and Newton raced the 100 I.M., and Brundage earned her first duck in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:21:39. Sophomore Anna Ungert also earned a duck in the women’s 100 breaststroke, with a first place time of 1:21:13, and beginning breaststroker Brodley blew teammates and coaches out of the water with her impressive 1:39:10 time. In the 100 freestyle, Brown and Rousseau were neck and neck. The last 100 event, the backstroke, was raced by Salve swimmers Sharman, Toomey, Boutcher, and Haley Nimmons.
50 Yard Sprint Races: Within the two heats of women’s 50 backstroke, Nimmons swam a 39:40, O’Farrell a 40.25, Boutcher a 40:99, Parmenidez a 43:68, and Boyle a 47:41. Ungert, O’Farrell, and Parmenidez swam the 50 butterfly, and Rousseau, Brundage, Brodley, Abby Wiemken, Hunt, and Lily Sanpietro swam the 50 breaststroke.
Overall, the vibes on meet day were upbeat and supportive. Providence College’s women’s teams earned 62 points, Holy Cross earned 21 points, and Salve Regina University took home the win with a score of 96 points.
The times above are based on a standard 25 yard pool.
Any student who is interested in joining the Salve Swim Club next fall is encouraged to reach out to captains Grace Boyle (class of 2024) and Kayla Brundage, (class of 2025). No prior swim experience is required to join the team. Go Seahawks!
Photos by Haley Nimmons
