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NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University women’s swimming & diving team faced off against intrastate rival Saint Michael’s College in a dual meet at Goodyear Pool, marking their final appearance in the pool for this calendar year on Sunday morning. The event brought together athletes from both colleges, generating an electric atmosphere that showcased competitive spirit and sportsmanship.
The Purple Knights emerged victorious with a commanding 205-86 win over the Cadets, despite notable individual achievements by Norwich throughout the day. Two Cadets notably showcased their skills, with Reilly Laitala (Sterling, Mass.) dominating the 1-meter diving competitions. She first triumphed over Ashley Silveira with an impressive score of 207.75, and then solidified her winning streak by surpassing Silveira again in a later event with a score of 153.50, showcasing her versatility and talent in diving.
Immediately following Laitala’s first win, Jenna Tschida (Goffstown, N.H.) secured another victory for Norwich, touching the wall with a time of 58.41 in the 100-yard freestyle. She narrowly outpaced teammate Katie Dzambo, finishing just nine milliseconds ahead, exemplifying the competitive edge among the Cadets.
Norwich consistently performed well throughout the meet, opening the competition with a strong second-place finish in the 200 medley relay. The impressive quartet of Kylie Farris (Leander, Texas), Brandy Lewis (Strafford, Vt.), Maria Piekarczyk (Dudley, Mass.), and Alannah Kelliher (Middleboro, Mass.) achieved a commendable 2:03.81 in the event, demonstrating their collaborative effort and teamwork.
Lewis and Tschida also put in solid performances, securing runner-up finishes in their respective events. Lewis clocked in at 2:08.14 in the 200 freestyle and 5:42.58 in the 500 freestyle. Before her standout moment in the 100 freestyle, Tschida made her mark in the 50 freestyle as well, finishing with a time of 26.20, falling just .28 milliseconds short of first place, which highlighted the tight competition among the swimmers.
The 200 freestyle relay further illustrated Norwich’s strong team dynamic, as Lewis and Tschida teamed up with Deanna Parot (San Diego, Calif.) and Kaylin Creel (Huntersville, N.C.) for a second-place finish with a time of 1:49.03. Notably, the diving team made its debut with a relay squad during this relay event, featuring Kai Speredelozzi (South Kingstown, R.I.), Megan Sweeney (Hampden, Maine), Gianna Varady (Highland Park, N.J.), and Laitala. They swam in lane six, delighting the crowd with their enthusiastic performance and camaraderie.
LEADERS:
- 200 Yard Medley Relay
- 1000 Yard Freestyle
- 200 Yard Freestyle
- 100 Yard Backstroke
- 100 Yard Breaststroke
- Jess Merrill (Plattsburgh, N.Y.)
- 50 Yard Freestyle
- 1 Meter Diving
- 100 Yard Freestyle
- 200 Yard Backstroke
- 200 Yard Breaststroke
- 500 Yard Freestyle
- 100 Yard Butterfly
- 1 Meter Diving 5 Voluntary
- 200 Yard IM
- 200 Yard Freestyle Relay
The Cadets will soon shift their focus to the road, preparing for competition before the Thanksgiving break. A select group of swimmers is set to travel to the University of Rhode Island for the highly anticipated four-day Harold Anderson Invitational, scheduled to take place from Thursday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 24. The opening day of events is set to commence at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, promising an action-packed weekend for all participants.
How can close finishes, like Jenna Tschida’s, influence team dynamics and motivation?
H a time of 1:49.12.
To gain more insight into the meet and the performances, we sat down with Norwich University women’s swimming & diving coach, **Katy Miller**.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Miller. How do you feel about the team’s performance against Saint Michael’s College?
**Katy Miller:** Thank you for having me. I’m very proud of our team. While we faced a strong opponent in Saint Michael’s, our athletes showed incredible determination and sportsmanship throughout the meet. The energy at Goodyear Pool was unmatched.
**Interviewer:** Reilly Laitala had a standout day in diving. Can you tell us more about her performance and what it means for the team?
**Katy Miller:** Absolutely! Reilly’s wins on the 1-meter board are a testament to her hard work and skill. Her impressive scores not only reflect her individual talent but also boost team morale. Having an athlete like Reilly excelling in such a competitive environment lifts everyone up and sets a positive tone for the squad.
**Interviewer:** Jenna Tschida’s finish in the 100-yard freestyle was incredibly close. How do you think these close races impact the team’s motivation moving forward?
**Katy Miller:** Close races like that are critical for building competitive spirit. Jenna’s performance was exhilarating and shows just how much our athletes push each other to improve. Moments like these serve as motivation to train harder and demonstrate that every millisecond counts.
**Interviewer:** The team also performed well in the 200 medley relay. How important is teamwork in your training?
**Katy Miller:** Teamwork is essential in our training regimen. Swimming can often be seen as an individual sport, but events like the relays highlight our collective strengths. The collaboration and support we emphasize in training translate into stronger performances in meets.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what will be the team’s focus as you head into the next phase of the season?
**Katy Miller:** Our focus will be on refining our techniques and building endurance. We’ve got great momentum from this meet, and we’ll use that to prepare for upcoming competitions. We’re aiming to build upon our individual successes while enhancing our team dynamics.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time, Coach Miller. Best of luck to you and the team in the coming weeks!
**Katy Miller:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and are excited for what’s ahead.