Worcester, Mass. – The UMBC men's and women's swimming and diving teams opened competition at the 2020 America East Swimming and Diving Championships as a pair of diving competitions and relays got the action underway.

The Retriever men captured both the relays and set a WPI pool record in the 800 freestyle relay. The quartet of senior Ilia Rattsev, freshman Niklas Weigelt, sophomore Satori Dobbie and freshman Gabe Laracurente  turned in a time of 6:34.53 in cruising past the competition.

In the final event of the night, the UMBC men faced a tougher test, but outdistanced Binghamton by more than two seconds to take gold in the 200 medley relay. Seniors Garrett Wlochowski and Luis Galvan and sophomores Satori Dobbie and Tiago Asakawa stood atop the podium with a time of 1:29.12.

The Retriever women made the medal stand in both relays. The 800 freestyle foursome of junior Natalija Marin, freshman Makayla Ludwick, junior Vanessa Esposito and sophomore Tonia Papapeartrou placed second in 7:27.17, while senior Emily Vance, freshman Jenna Gwinn, and seniors Sotiria Neofytou and Haylee Committe captured bronze in the 200 medley.

In the diving well, a duo of Retriever men placed in the top six on the 3-meter board. Senior Ben Parker captured bronze with 247.95 points, while freshman Will Henrickson finished in sixth place at 219.55.

On the women's side, senor Devin Gromen earned the eighth and final qualifying spot, but climbed all the way up to earn fifth place in the championship round. She amassed 206.25 points on the 1-meter board.

The men have the night off in diving on Friday, as the women complete their program on the 3-meter board. The swimmers will compete in a pair of relays in addition to the 50 and 500 yard freestyle events.