Women's swim team wins season opener

11/03/09 - The University of Rhode Island women's swimming team opened up their 2009-10 season on Saturday with a win over the University of Maine in Orono. The Rams had a combined 10 first place finishes on the afternoon for a final score of 155-145. Rhode Island began the event with a win in the 200-yard medley relay with juniors Alexandra Lalli, Melissa Flynn, Lillian Falconer and sophomore Katie Mangano posting better times than their competitors from Maine and combining for a time of 1:50.67.

Junior Kinsey Tarbell had a strong showing, winning three individual events: the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.35), the 100-yard freestyle (0:54.09), and the 50-yard freestyle (0:25.34).

"She did what she had to do," head coach Mick Westkott said. "Winning three solid times was just what we needed."

Freshman Susan Nugent had a very strong showing in her first collegiate meet, winning first in the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:43.35), and the 500-yard freestyle (5:15.22).

"She had some good swims," Westkott said. "She finished third in the [200-yard] butterfly, and first in the [1,000-yard freestyle] which is a hard thing to do."

The other individual winners for Rhode Island were Katie Mangano taking first in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.77), and Lillian Falconer taking first in both the 200-yard butterfly (2:08.73) and 200-yard individual medley (2:07.17).

"The 200 [yard] IM was great for her," Westkott said.

Rhode Island won the 400-yard freestyle relay with senior Maura Zaneski, Katie Mangano, Lillian Falconer, and Kinsey Tarbell combining for a time of 3:36.06. Three of Rhode Island's four swimmers in this event posted better times than their counterparts from Maine.

The Rams posted four second-place finishes in individual events. Two came from Katie Mangano in the 200-yard backstroke (2:11.03), and junior Melissa Flynn in the 100-yard butterfly (1:00.68). The other two came from junior Samantha Baylor in three-meter diving, and senior Haley Johnson in one-meter diving.

The Rams also posted a total of nine third place finishes in individual events, as well as a third place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Rhode Island opens up their home schedule this Saturday at 1 p.m. as they welcome in-state rival Providence College to the Tootell Aquatic Center.