Women's Swimming and Diving 2/14/2016 12:00:00 AM

BACK TO BACK! UMBC Swimming and Diving Repeats as America East Champions

Worcester, Mass.—UMBC swimming and diving defended their America East Championship on Sunday in grand fashion. Junior Emily Escobedo won her third straight Most Outstanding Swimmer award, while making UMBC history in the process.

After trailing the University of New Hampshire for the first two days of competition, the Retrievers took command after an amazing night in the pool on the third day. An extremely strong preliminary session on Saturday put the team on cruise control, heading to the evening session.

"I am so proud of our ladies. They believed in us as much as we believed in them," head coach Chad Cradock said about the team's second straight title. "Ultimately, they won the championship because they believed in each other."

On Sunday, Escobedo won the 200 breast by over 12 seconds, setting a school, meet and conference record with a time of 2:06.21. Not only was it a school record, but her time is the fastest in all of the NCAA this season, and automatically qualifies her for the NCAA Championships in March.

"We are so proud of Emily. She is our first ever NCAA "A" cut, and has the number one time in the event to date," Cradock said about Escobedo. "Everything she has accomplished is through her hard work and dedication."

Teammate Kayla Lilly took second in the event with a time of 2:18.28.

Freshman Laura Massicotte took silver in the 1,650 free, touching the wall in a time of 17:01.25. Aleasha Knight earned a silver medal in the 200 back, touching in with a time of 2:00.77.

Senior Catherine Frediani ended her final America East Championship meet with a win in the 200 fly. Frediani finished in a time of 2:02.66 to earn gold. Junior Hannah Sutherland took second with a time of 2:02.96.

In addition to Escobedo winning Most Outstanding Swimmer, senior Coco Darelius earned Most Outstanding Diver after winning the 3 meter dive, and placing second on the 1 meter board.

UMBC won with 885.5 points. New Hampshire took second with 824.5 points, as Vermont (636.5), Maine (448) and Binghamton (329.5) rounded out the field.

Second-place UNH had more individual champions, but the outstanding depth of the Retriever squad was the key to claiming the championship.

The Retrievers posted a staggering 29 new ALL TIME TOP 10 SWIMS.

Meet Highlights

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS by day of the Meet

DAY 2
- EMILY ESCOBEDO – 200IM
DAY 3
- EMILY ESCOBEDO – 100BREAST
- LAUREN DAY – 100BACK
- COCO DARELIUS – 2MTR DIVING
DAY 4
- EMILY ESCOBEDO – 200BREAST
- CATHERINE FREDIANI – 200FLY

-RELAY CHAMPIONS by day of the Meet

DAY 1
- 200MEDLEY RELAY – LAUREN DAY, EMILY ESCOBEDO, AMANDA DAY, KRISTIE LANGFORD
DAY 3
- 400MEDLEY RELAY – LAUREN DAY, EMILY ESCOBEDO, AMANDA DAY, KRISTIE LANGFORD

-INDIVIDUAL TEAM RECORDS